Chamera Dam is a hydroelectric dam located near the city of Dalhousie in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is situated on the Ravi River, a major tributary of the Indus River. The dam is about 35 km from Chamba town. The dam forms a reservoir called Chamera Lake, which extends upstream for about 26 km. The lake is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and is a popular tourist attraction. A major part of its reservoir is located in the Saloni sub-division of Chamba. Chamera Dam, with its scenic beauty and significant contribution to power generation, remains an important landmark in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
Chamera Dam Chamba
The dam was constructed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in two phases. The first phase was completed in 1994, while and the second phase, was completed in 2004. Chamera Dam has a total installed capacity of 540 MW of power generation. Chamera I has three generating units with a capacity of 180 MW, while Chamera II has three units with a capacity of 77 MW each. The minimum water level in Chamera Lake is up to 747 meters and sometimes it rises up to a maximum of 763 meters. The dam contributes significantly to the power supply in the region.
The Chamera Dam was constructed for hydroelectric power generation and to meet the irrigation needs of the surrounding region. This Dam has played an important role in power generation and irrigation, it has also had some environmental impact. The construction of the dam resulted in the displacement of local communities and the submergence of some villages. However, efforts have been made to reduce the impact and provide rehabilitation to the affected people.
How to reach
Chamera Dam is well connected by road and is easily accessible from nearby cities like Chamba and Dalhousie. The nearest airport is Pathankot Airport, which is approximately 80 kilometers away. The distance between Dalhousie and Chamera Dam is approximately 35 kilometers. Chamera Dam and the surrounding area offer breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains and the serene lake. The place attracts tourists who enjoy boating, fishing, and picnics. Adventure enthusiasts can also indulge in activities like water sports and trekking in the surrounding forests. The unique feature of this region is the fluctuation of day and night temperatures. The temperature near the dam rises up to 35 °C during the day and drops to a minimum of 18 to 20 °C at night.
