KALABAGH DAM (Proposed)

KEY FACTS Dam Type: Height: Length: Area at retention level Catchment Area: Gros
s Storage Capacity: Live Storage Capacity: Dead Storage: Retention Level: Main S
pillway Capacity: Design Flood Discharge: Hydropower Generation: Maximum Dischar
ge: Total Volume of Dam: Geology: Earthfill 260 ft. (above riverbed) 11,000 feet
164 miles2 110,500 miles2 7.9 MAF 6.1 MAF 1.8 MAF 915 ft amsl 1.07 million cuse
cs 1.92 million cusecs 3,600 MW 1.2 million cusecs (in 1929) 34 million yds3 Bed
s of clay stone, silt stone and sand stone
Please Insert Sketch of in the file called “Location Map” sent separately in MS Word
format. It is a scanned figure.
1.0 OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED KALABAGH DAM PROJECT
The Kalabagh Dam Project site is located 210 km downstream of Tarbela Dam and 26
km upstream of Jinnah Barrage on the River Indus. The project envisages the con
struction of 260 ft high rock-fill dam. With its maximum retention level at 915
ft., the dam will create a reservoir with usable storage of 6.1 MAF. The project
has two spillways on the right bank for disposal of flood water. In the event o
f the highest probable flood, these spillways will have a discharge capacity of
over 2 million cusecs. On the left bank is the powerhouse, which will be connect
ed to twelve conduits, each 36 feet in diameter, with an ultimate generation cap
acity of 3,600 MW. It may be noted that the average flow at Kalabagh is 89 MAF,
made up of 72 percent from the Indus, 25 percent from the Kabul and 3 percent fr
om the Soan. The live storage of 6.1 MAF will be only 7% of the average annual f
low. 2.0 INITIALLY PROPOSED KALABAGH DAM PROJECT
The initially proposed design of Kalabagh Dam consisted of an earthfill dam of a
bout 265 feet height above the average riverbed and 4,150 feet in length. The cr
est of the embankment was to be at an elevation of 945 ft and top width 50 feet.
The auxiliary dam, situated between the sluiceway and the natural high ground o
n the right bank, was to be 4,900 feet long with a maximum height of about 100 f
eet. The design features of the auxiliary dam were to be similar to those of the
main dam. The proposal included the construction of a sluiceway - diversion str
ucture located on the right bank and provided outlet and diversion facilities. P
rovisions were made for 33 diversion vents, each 20 feet wide and 25 feet
high, fitted with radial gates with a capacity of discharging 1.33 million cusec
s when the reservoir were full at a water level of 925 feet. Depending upon the
sluicing operation; the useful life of Kalabagh reservoir is almost unlimited. T
he maximum capacity of the storage was planned to be 9.375 MAF with a live stora
ge of 7.771 MAF. The capacity at lowest water level was 1.604 MAF and 1.037 MAF
at the sill of sluices. The level of full reservoir was to submerge 2,189 miles2
of land. Auxilliary gravity spillways were to-be-provided to discharge 1.4 mill
ion cusecs through 56 gates at 907 ft at sill level of spillway. The power facil
ities of the dam were to be similar to Tarbela and Mangla, having 8 power genera
ting units, each with a power waterway and penstock of 36 ft internal diameter.
3.0 MODIFICATIONS IN THE PROPOSED DESIGN
The project was initially developed with a somewhat differing design criteria. T
he refined criteria were introduced in the subsequent layout optimization studie
s to accommodate technical, social, economic and political issues. The principal
modifications were as follows: a) b) c) d) e) The retention level was 925 ft, w
hich has been reduced by 10 ft to 915 ft. The probable maximum flood inflow was
3.5 million cusecs, which has been raised to 3.65 million cusecs. One gated over
flow spillway and one orifice spillway of approximately equal capacity were to b
e provided. Four low-level outlets were initially provided, whereas, low-level o
utlets are provided now are also convertible conduits. Four tunnels have been ad
ded for powerhouse enhancement. The initial installed plant capacity was 2,400 M
W comprised of 8 units of 300 MW each whereas now 12 units may be installed to p
rovide 3,600 MW. The water retaining concrete structures, such as spillway headw
orks, would be designed and located so that they would not retain more than 160
ft head of water and would be founded on not less than 40 ft thick sandstone. Th
e dam would be an embankment dam with slopes of 1 on 2.5 generally. No concrete
structure should be built over the Kharjwan fault. The power station would be si
ted so that large rebound movements due to deep excavations would be avoided, if
possible. The live storage capacity of the reservoir will now be 6.1 MAF with g
ross storage equal to 7.9 MAF which were 7.77 and 9.37, respectively in the init
ial design. The Orifice Spillway with crest elevation 40 feet below the minimum
level of 825 will enable sluicing of silt-laden water of early floods and also h
elp in the flushing of the sediment deposited in the narrow gorge of the reservo
ir.
f)
g) h) i) j)
k)
The Kalabagh reservoir (according to the existing design) will extend 92 miles u
pstream reaching 10 miles upstream of the confluence of Kabul-Indus. The
Kalabagh storage, at a 915 ft elevation, would pose no flood risk to Nowshera, w
hich is located at an elevation of 938 ft. Neither would it effect the operation
of Mardan SCARP, the outfall elevation of which is 958.7 ft. It is estimated th
at the project will submerge 35,000 acres of land. Of this, 27,500 acres will re
main submerged and shall have to be acquired permanently. This area would cover
24,500 acres in the Punjab and 3,000 acres in the NWFP. 4.0 SITE SELECTION
The Government of Pakistan, assisted by consultants, first undertook engineering
investigations for Kalabagh dam site during 1953-54. A site was selected about
3 miles downstream of the confluence of the Indus and Soan rivers and about 8 mi
les upstream from Kalabagh town (shown in the figure below as Site B). Prelimina
ry investigations, with a number of borings, were undertaken which resulted in a
preliminary feasibility study in 1956. In 1966, Site B was reviewed by experts
who developed an alternative project proposal for the site, which included deep
sediment sluices to avoid rapid loss of storage capacity. Shortly afterwards, WA
PDA and some consultants made detailed investigations at Site A, about 2 miles d
ownstream of Site B. Site A has the advantage of hard massive sandstone bedrock,
but is situated between two major faults, across the river. In 1972, local cons
ultants were appointed by WAPDA to undertake the feasibility study for the Kalab
agh dam project. They identified the potential advantages of moving further upst
ream to a site not previously considered, marked as Site C in the sketch below.
While work was in progress, it was reviewed by a Board of International Experts,
who suggested that Site D, upstream from the confluence of the Indus and the So
an, should also be considered. Comparative studies were undertaken, and it was c
oncluded that of the four sites, Site C was the most suitable. Extensive investi
gations were then concentrated on this site. While site investigation effort was
concentrated on the areas around Site C, study of various alignments and projec
t layouts for Sites C, D and alignments slightly downstream from Site C, called
CE, E, F and G was continued. Site G was included to test whether there were any
significant layout advantages to be obtained by choosing an alignment downstrea
m from the next bend in the Indus. The cost estimates for the preferred layouts
on alignments C, E, F and G were not significantly different. The cheapest was E
but the others were all within 5% of E. Technically, however, alignments F and
G had more disadvantages than advantages in comparison to C and E, and so alignm
ents F and G were not carried forward any further in the study. Alignment CE was
proposed as an adjustment of alignment C, to incorporate the favorable power st
ation location, which had been developed for alignment E.
5.0
APPRECIATION OF THE KALABAGH DAM
Kalabagh Dam would enable additional and improved irrigation supplies to all pro
vinces, within a short period. All other identified sites for dams have a much l
onger gestation period, in the absence of initial studies. The initial installat
ion will generate 11,400 million Kwh of energy annually. As a consequence of con
junctive operation, it will enable enhancement of 600 MW of peaking capability a
nd additional 336 million Kwh of annual generation at Tarbela. Kalabagh Dam will
augment irrigation supplies, hydropower and alleviate floods. Additionally, ind
irect benefits like more industrial and food production, employment and agricult
ural boost will accrue. The project will have a useful economic life of over 50
years, without requiring any major replacement of machines and E&M equipment. Th
e project will pay back its investment cost in a period of less than 10 years, a
s projected project annual benefits are US$ 628.18 Million and the project finan
cial cost is US$ 6002 Million (inclusive of interest and escalations) at 1998 pr
ice level. On the basis of the project benefits accruing over a period of 50 yea
rs and investment cost for its construction, the proposed project shows an Econo
mic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of about 12% with a B.C. Ratio of 1.05:1 at 1
2% discount rate.
6.0
LAND ACQUISITION AND RESETTLEMENT ISSUE
Based on a 1999 estimate, the total population to be relocated because of the pr
oject is 120,000. Of this, 78,000 persons will have to be relocated from the Pun
jab and 42,500 from NWFP. The project includes compensation for all affectees fo
r their properties which include land, trees, buildings and other structures at
market price in compliance with the Land Acquisition Act. It is proposed to offe
r alternative land with minimum 12.5 acres to the land owning families. This wou
ld require about 74,000 acres of irrigated land. Another major incentive provide
d for the affectees in the case of this dam, not previously offered for such a p
roject in Pakistan, would be to fully compensate the farmers for the land on the
reservoir periphery, above normal conservation level of 915 feet that could be
flooded once in five years. This land would remain the property of the original
owners for cultivation, with the undertaking that they would not claim any damag
es to crops for occasional flooding. The comprehensive resettlement package prop
osed for Kalabagh is both, more innovative and attractive than those adopted for
Mangla and Tarbela Dams. The basic objective is that the affectees should find
themselves in a better socio-economic environment. According to the plan, non-ag
riculturist affectees would be trained in various trades in the Training Institu
tes to be established in the Model Villages. These measures will provide the aff
ectees with maximum job opportunities, where they would also be able to invest t
heir compensation money, thus giving them an assured means of livelihood for fut
ure. By dropping the retention level from 925 ft to 915 ft, the area to be affec
ted by the envisaged reservoir has been reduced from 159,700 acres to about 134,
500 acres. This includes 74% un-cultivable land in both the provinces. Of this,
95,800 acres falls in the Punjab and remaining 38,700 acres in the NWFP. The pro
ject estimate provides for Rs. 5,731 million as the cost of land acquisition, re
settlement and relocation works at June 1991 prices. Resettlement Plan NEW MODEL
VILLAGES EXTENDED VILLAGES NO. OF PLOTS PROPOSED
Punjab NWFP Total
17 10 27
7 13 20
9,700 7,000 16,700
Facilities Provided at No Cost a) SERVICES Water Supply Power Supply b) COMMUNIT
Y BUILDINGS Schools Mosques
Paved Roads/Streets
Hall
Dispensary/ Union Council
7.0
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The sole EIA for Kalabagh Dam was executed by WAPDA, through consultants, in 198
4. The EIA surveyed the existing conditions of the project area with regard to g
eomorphology, water resources, land use and vegetation, wildlife and fisheries,
human population, archaeological resources, transportation network and governmen
tal administrative structure. The report briefly identified the likely environme
ntal impacts on existing conditions during construction and operation of the pro
posed project, and recommended several actions to enhance the secondary benefits
and minimize adverse impacts. In addition, the report brought out the areas whe
re further studies would be required. The potential areas of concern identified
in the report include the following: Ø Resettlement due to submergence of populati
on centres and dislocation of other infra structure facilities, borrow and spoil
area issues, and lend use changes by impoundment. Ø Interruption of the existing
river navigation. Ø Submergence of mineral resources by reservoir particularly Tut
Oil fields. Ø Submergence of archaeological and historical resources, like the hi
storic town of Makhad. Ø Effect on river ecosystem. Ø Effects on the Indus delta. Ø Ef
fect on wildlife in the probable reservoir area. Ø Recommendation on management as
pects regarding further environmental assessment process and mitigation planning
. 8.0 COST AND BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT
The total project cost at June 1998 price level, including contingencies, price
escalation and interest during construction, is estimated as US$ 5,700 million.
It would take 7 years for the first power unit to come in to operation. Project
Benefits Average Annual Power Benefits Average Annual Irrigation Benefits Averag
e Annual Flood Alleviation Benefits Additional Power From Tarbela AVERAGE YEARLY
BENEFITS Rs. 25.50 Billion Rs. 3.50 Billion Rs. 0.70 Billion Rs. 3.50 Billion R
s. 33.20 Billion
9.0
RECENT STUDIES
The following aspects of the proposed Kalabagh Dam, related to environment, have
been studied in the year 2000. Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Sedimentation and Backwater Study (includ
shera Valley) Effect on Operation for Mardan SCARP Waterlogging of Pabbi-Mardan-
Swabi Area Effect on Land Resettlement Action Plan Downstream Degradation Study
(for Jinnah Barrage) Effect on Salaiba Cultivation (for riverain areas) Impact o
n Navigation and Fisheries Sea Water Intrusion in Indus Estuary
The total expenditure incurred by the Government of Pakistan, up to June 2000, f
or the proposed Kalabagh Dam Project is Rs. 1,216.5 million.
REFERENCES 1. Farhan Sami and Saira Shafi, “Review the critical problems related t
o Kalabagh Dam in order to analyse the positive and negative scenarios and devel
op recommendations for the country”, a masters thesis for Environmental Sciences D
epartment, Kinniard College Lahore, September 2001. Pakistan Water & Power Devel
opment Authority, “Annual Report 19992000”, 2001. Dr. Nazir Ahmad, “Water Resources of
Pakistan”, Miraj uddin Press, Lahore September 1993. Engr. Dr Izhar ul Haq, “Barrag
es and Dams in Pakistan” for Pakistan Engineering Congress, 1990. Planning Commiss
ion, Govt of Pakistan (Sep 2001), “Ten Year Perspective Development Plan 2001-11&
Three Year Development Programme 2001-04”. Asian Development Bank – TA, Water Resour
ces Sector Strategy, “National Water Sector Profile”, April 2002. Planning Commissio
n, Govt of Pakistan, “Federal Govt Public Sector Development Programme 2001-2002”, J
une 2001.
2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7.