Baran Dam

Dam in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

33°00′35″N 70°30′09″E / 33.009651°N 70.502571°E / 33.009651; 70.502571PurposeIrrigation, powerStatusCompletedOpening date ()1962Owner(s)WAPDADam and spillwaysType of damEarth core rockfillImpoundsKurrum River and Baran streamHeight39 m (129 ft)Length490 m (1,620 ft)Width (crest)1275 mReservoirTotal capacity123.35 million m³Power StationOperator(s)WAPDATypeConventionalInstalled capacity5.8 MWAnnual generation10 GWh

Baran Dam, located in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, is a medium-sized hydroelectric dam characterized by a low-head design and an earth-core rockfill structure, boasting a capacity of 5.8 megawatts. This dam spans the Kurrum River and Baran stream and serves as a pivotal component within a broader initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.^[1]^[2]

The dam was initially commissioned in 1962 during Ayub Khan government. In 2018, a significant upgrade project, known as the "Raising of Baran Dam Project," was initiated with the objective of increasing the dam's height by 7 meters, thereby expanding its total water storage capacity.^[3] The estimated cost for this project was 5.2 billion rupees.^[4]^[5]

Main uses

Upon the construction of the proposed Baran Dam, it will serve as a reservoir for storing floodwaters from the Baran stream and Kurrum river. The reservoir's total storage capacity is approximately 123 million cubic metres (100,000 acre⋅ft). The stored water will be utilized for the development of irrigated agriculture within an expansive command area covering approximately 69,000 hectares (170,000 acres) via the Marwat Canal.^[6] Furthermore, this undertaking is expected to generate 5.8 MW of power, contributing to an annual energy output of 36 TJ (10 GW⋅h).^[7]

Other benefits

By impeding the flow of the Baran stream, the initiative aims to preserve floodwaters, fostering development in various critical sectors, including irrigated agriculture, power generation, and the provision of potable water for domestic use. Notably, the project is expected to have a positive and widespread impact on the local community by creating employment opportunities and encouraging the growth of businesses. These indirect advantages, such as increased employment and the subsequent enhancement of living standards, are of significant importance, even if they cannot be precisely quantified in monetary terms. Furthermore, the project is poised to substantially stimulate the growth of fisheries in the region, while also offering recreational and employment prospects for the area's residents.^[8]^[9]^[10]

References

^ "RAISING OF BARAN DAM BANNU". 1library.net. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
^ https://epakp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Baran-Dam-Bannu.pdf
^ "Baran Dam". AGES Consultants. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
^ Web Desk (2017-10-22). "Govt approves Rs5.2 billion for extension of Baran Dam in Bannu". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
^ "RAISING OF BARAN DAM BANNU". 1library.net. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
^ "KP govt urged to speed up work on uplifting of Baran Dam project". The Nation. 2020-12-13. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
^ "Barran dam in Bannu to be completed by June 2023". 2022-09-09. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
^ باران ڈیم بنوں پراجیکٹ "Raising of Baran Dam" سے ڈیم میں 1 لاکھ 70 ہزار ایکڑ زرعی زمینیں سیراب کرنے کی استطاعت بڑھ جائے گی، پانی کی سطح بلند ہونے سے... | By Directorate General Information & PRs, KP | Facebook, retrieved 2023-10-29
^ باران ڈیم بنوں پراجیکٹ "Raising of Baran Dam" سے ڈیم میں 1 لاکھ 70 ہزار ایکڑ زرعی زمینیں سیراب کرنے کی استطاعت بڑھ جائے گی، پانی کی سطح بلند ہونے سے... | By Deputy Commissioner Bannu | Facebook, retrieved 2023-10-29
^ Correspondent, Our (2023-11-01). "Tribesmen hit by Bannu dam raising project to get compensation". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-12-31.