Major Dams of Maharashtra 2026: Rivers, Districts & PYQs
Study 17 important dams of Maharashtra for MPSC. Find rivers, districts, reservoir names, previous exam question examples and practice MCQs.
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Study 17 important dams of Maharashtra for MPSC. Find rivers, districts, reservoir names, previous exam question examples and practice MCQs.
If you're preparing Maharashtra Geography for MPSC, start with a simple question: Can you identify the river and district of a dam without looking at a map?
That's a useful starting point, but it's not enough for every examination question.
For example, Koyna Dam is associated with the Koyna River in Satara district. A deeper question might ask for its reservoir's name or how water is used in the hydroelectric project. Similarly, Bhandardara can appear under its alternative name, Wilson Dam, while its reservoir is known as Arthur Lake.
This guide brings together 17 selected dams of Maharashtra, their rivers and districts, notable reservoirs, and examples of questions reported in previous Maharashtra examinations.
Dam | River | District |
|---|---|---|
Koyna | Koyna | Satara |
Jayakwadi | Godavari | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar |
Ujjani | Bhima | Solapur |
Bhandardara (Wilson) | Pravara | Ahilyanagar |
Radhanagari | Bhogawati | Kolhapur |
Dhom | Krishna | Satara |
Khadakwasla | Mutha | Pune |
Panshet (Tanajisagar) | Ambi | Pune |
Bhatsa | Bhatsa | Thane |
Gosikhurd (Indirasagar) | Wainganga | Bhandara |
Upper Wardha | Wardha | Amravati |
Isapur | Penganga | Yavatmal |
Hatnur | Tapi | Jalgaon |
Gangapur | Godavari | Nashik |
Totladoh | Pench | Nagpur |
Mulshi | Mula | Pune |
Warna (Chandoli) | Warna | Sangli |
This is a selected study list, not a complete register or an official MPSC ranking.
Koyna Dam stands on the Koyna River near Koynanagar in Satara district. The Koyna is a tributary of the Krishna River, joining it at Karad.
The dam's reservoir is called Shiv Sagar (Shivsagar).
What makes Koyna particularly interesting is how its hydroelectric project uses the geography of the Western Ghats. Water from the reservoir is diverted westward through the mountains for electricity generation.
This geographical relationship was tested in the 2018 MPSC State Services Mains GS-I paper, which included statements concerning the Shiv Sagar reservoir and electricity generation near Pophali.
Remember: Koyna → Koyna River → Satara → Shiv Sagar → Hydroelectricity.
Jayakwadi Dam is built across the Godavari River near Paithan in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
The reservoir is called Nath Sagar.
Jayakwadi is especially important to the Marathwada region, where uneven rainfall and recurring water scarcity make irrigation and stored water valuable for agriculture and settlements.
The project also illustrates a broader geography topic: how water resources in one river basin support agricultural regions farther downstream.
Remember: Jayakwadi → Godavari → Paithan → Nath Sagar.
Ujjani Dam is situated on the Bhima River in Solapur district.
The project is important for irrigation, regional water management and water supply to Solapur.
For examination preparation, connect Ujjani with the wider river system. The Bhima is a major tributary of the Krishna River. Therefore, Ujjani belongs to the Krishna drainage system through the Bhima.
Remember: Ujjani → Bhima → Solapur → Krishna Basin.
Bhandardara Dam is located on the Pravara River in Ahilyanagar district.
It has two names worth remembering:
Dam: Bhandardara or Wilson Dam
Reservoir: Arthur Lake
These names are easy to confuse because students may remember the location but forget which name belongs to the dam and which belongs to the reservoir.
A question reproduced from the 2021 MPSC Group C Preliminary paper tests this exact association.
Remember: Bhandardara → Pravara → Ahilyanagar → Wilson Dam → Arthur Lake.
Radhanagari Dam is built across the Bhogawati River in Kolhapur district.
It is associated with the irrigation-development efforts of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. Its historical background makes it relevant beyond physical geography.
Students should connect Radhanagari with the Bhogawati River, rather than confusing it with the nearby Krishna, Panchganga or Warna river systems.
Remember: Radhanagari → Bhogawati → Kolhapur → Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj.
Gosikhurd Dam, also called Indirasagar, is built across the Wainganga River in Bhandara district.
The project was planned to expand irrigation facilities in parts of Bhandara, Nagpur and Chandrapur districts.
Its importance extends beyond remembering a river name. It is a major example of irrigation development in eastern Maharashtra.
A Comptroller and Auditor General report records that the project was declared a National Irrigation Project in February 2009.
Remember: Gosikhurd → Wainganga → Bhandara → Vidarbha irrigation.
The remaining dams can be revised in smaller regional groups.
Pune region: Khadakwasla stands on the Mutha River and is an important water source for Pune. Panshet, also called Tanajisagar, is built on the Ambi River. Mulshi Dam stands on the Mula River and is associated with hydroelectric development.
Western Maharashtra: Dhom Dam is on the Krishna River near Wai in Satara district. Warna, also known as Chandoli Dam, is associated with the Warna River in Sangli district.
Nashik and North Maharashtra: Gangapur Dam, on the Godavari River, contributes to Nashik's water supply. Hatnur Dam is on the Tapi River in Jalgaon district.
Vidarbha and adjoining river basins: Upper Wardha Dam stands on the Wardha River in Amravati district. Isapur Dam is associated with the Penganga River, while Totladoh Dam is built on the Pench River in Nagpur district.
Bhatsa Dam in Thane district is also worth remembering because it is an important water source for the Mumbai metropolitan region.
Dam | Reservoir / Alternative Name |
|---|---|
Koyna | Shiv Sagar |
Jayakwadi | Nath Sagar |
Bhandardara | Arthur Lake |
Bhandardara Dam | Wilson Dam |
Panshet | Tanajisagar |
Gosikhurd | Indirasagar |
A useful distinction: Shiv Sagar, Nath Sagar and Arthur Lake are reservoir names. Wilson Dam and Tanajisagar are alternative names associated with dam projects.
A question in the General Studies Paper I dealt with the Koyna Hydroelectric Project. It tested the relationship between the Koyna River, Shiv Sagar reservoir and westward diversion of water for electricity generation.
This shows why knowing only the name of the river may not be sufficient.
A question reproduced from the Group C paper asked students to identify the dam associated with Wilson Dam and Arthur Lake.
The correct association is Bhandardara.
A question attributed to the Satara Police Constable recruitment paper asked candidates to identify an incorrect dam–river pair.
The incorrect pair was Veer–Manganga, because Veer Dam is associated with the Nira River.
These examples are reported in reproduced paper archives and examination-preparation repositories. Readers should consult original question papers and final answer keys for formal verification.
A memorable event in Maharashtra's dam history occurred on 12 July 1961, when Panshet Dam failed during its construction period.
The failure caused devastating flooding in Pune. The dam was subsequently reconstructed.
For exam revision, connect the historical event with three geographical facts:
Panshet Dam is on the Ambi River.
It is located in Pune district.
Its reservoir is known as Tanajisagar.
Do not confuse the Ambi River, on which Panshet stands, with the Mutha River, on which Khadakwasla stands.
The following are original practice questions, not claimed previous-year questions.
1. Which reservoir is associated with Koyna Dam?
A. Nath Sagar
B. Arthur Lake
C. Shiv Sagar
D. Indirasagar
2. Jayakwadi Dam is built across which river?
A. Krishna
B. Godavari
C. Bhima
D. Tapi
3. Which dam is associated with the Bhogawati River?
A. Radhanagari
B. Dhom
C. Ujjani
D. Gangapur
4. Totladoh Dam is built on which river?
A. Wainganga
B. Pench
C. Wardha
D. Penganga
5. Which dam and reservoir pair is correct?
A. Koyna — Nath Sagar
B. Jayakwadi — Shiv Sagar
C. Bhandardara — Arthur Lake
D. Ujjani — Arthur Lake
6. Panshet Dam is located on which river?
A. Ambi
B. Mutha
C. Mula
D. Nira
Answer key: 1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-B, 5-C, 6-A.
There is no official single-dam priority ranking. Koyna, Jayakwadi, Ujjani, Bhandardara, Radhanagari and Gosikhurd are useful starting points because they illustrate major river systems, reservoir names, irrigation projects and hydroelectric development.
The reservoir is called Shiv Sagar.
Bhandardara Dam in Ahilyanagar district.
Jayakwadi Dam, whose reservoir is called Nath Sagar.
Ujjani Dam in Solapur district.
The easiest way to revise Maharashtra's dams is to study them as connected facts rather than isolated names.
Begin with the dam, river and district. Next, learn alternative names and reservoirs. Finally, connect each project with its geography, purpose or historical significance.
That approach prepares you for straightforward matching questions as well as more detailed questions about Maharashtra's river systems and water resources.
Written by
Jayesh Gavit
IT Engineer & Content Creator, JGblogs
IT engineer with a passion for technology and building things. Started JGblogs in 2026 to share information and make government schemes, jobs, and career guides accessible to every Indian — free, in their own language.
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