Satpara Dam Field Visit Report

The purpose of the visit was to monitor the progress of works at the Satpara Multipurpose Dam and Hydropower Project. A field inspection was carried out to witness the testing and full load operation of Power House # 4 and to monitor the construction progress of the damaged works and remaining portion of DR-1 of the irrigation system. The report verifies the completed works at the Satpara multipurpose dam project, with the hydro expert Saleem Paracha inspecting the project on site for physical verification of completed works. The Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) problem identified in the last visit was rectified, and now both units of Power House # 4 are operating at full load of 700 KW, total 1.4 MW. The operation of both units at full load was smooth and within technical parameters. With the completion of Power House # 4, the total generation of 17.6 MW has been achieved at Satpara Multipurpose Dam Project. The project works completed up to July 15, 2013, include civil works for Dam and Powerhouse 1 & 2, which are complete. The irrigation system, however, is still under construction, with DR-I and repairs due to recent rains in progress, expected to be completed by the end of August 2013. Both Powerhouses # 3 and 4 are fully commissioned and completed, and consulting services for Satpara Project are still ongoing, with only consultancy services remaining for DR-1. The seepage condition at the dam was observed during the visit, with the reservoir level increasing due to an increase in the inflow of water in the Satpara reservoir. On July 15, 2013, the reservoir level was 8,715 ft., and total seepage recorded downstream of the dam was 43 cusecs, which is acceptable. The site visit photographs are appended below, showing the Power House 4, Unit-2 of Power House 4 generating 700KW, Unit-1 of Power House 4, Power House-4 both units at full load, and the Satpara Dam Reservoir.