Samanalawewa Reservoir, built from 1988–1992 in Belihul Oya, generates 120 MW of power. It supports Sri Lanka’s hydroelectric energy needs.
Samanalawewa Reservoir Samanalawewa Reservoir (Sinhala: සමනලවැව ජලාශය) is situated in Belihul Oya in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka. It is considered one of the most important hydropower-generating reservoirs in the country (Udayakumara et al., 2010). History Detailed designs for the Samanalawewa project were originally prepared in the late 1970s and a design review was undertaken in 1985 (Nagel, 1992). Work on the construction of the reservoir along with a 110 m high dam commenced in 1988 and was completed in 1992 (Udayakumara & Gunawardena, 2018; Laksiri et al., 2009). The reservoir
Located at an elevation of 400 m mean sea level, the reservoir has been built by damming the Walawe Ganga river at a confluence with its tributary, the Belihul Oya (Arumugam, 1969; Udayakumara et al., 2010). It extends in an area of 897 ha within Imbulpe and Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs), and its hydro power station is situated in the DSD of Weligepola (Udayakumara & Gunawardena, 2018). Main parameters …
