Taunsa Barrage

Taunsa Barrage
Taunsa Barrage at sunset
Interactive map of Taunsa Barrage
Official nameتونسہ بیراج
CountryPakistan
LocationPunjab
Coordinates30°30′46″N 70°50′57″E / 30.51278°N 70.84917°E / 30.51278; 70.84917
Construction began1952
Opening date1958
OperatorProject Management Office (PMO) for Punjab Barrages, Rehabilitation & Modernization Projects
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsIndus River
Length4,346 feet (1,325 m)
Spillway capacityUp to 1 million cusec
Designated22 March 1996
Reference no.817

Taunsa Barrage (Urdu: تونسہ بیراج) is a barrage on the River Indus in Taunsa, Punjab province of Pakistan. It is situated 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of main Taunsa city and Shadan Lund and 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) from district Kot Addu. This barrage controls water flow in the River Indus for irrigation and flood control purposes. Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary was designated a Ramsar site on 22 March 1996.

This barrage serves 2.351 million acres (951,400 hectares) of land besides diverting flows from Indus River to the Chenab River through Taunsa–Panjnad Link Canal (TP Link Canal). The barrage also serves as an arterial road bridge, a railway bridge, and crossing for gas and oil pipelines, telephone line and extra high voltage (EHV) transmission lines.