The Mangla Dam today filled to its maximum storage level of 1242 feet above mean sea level. It is worth mentioning that Mangla Dam, the first-ever mega multi-purpose project in Pakistan, was completed in 1967 with storage capacity of 5.88 MAF which reduced to 4.6 MAF due to sedimentation till 2004. Subsequently, Mangla Dam Raising Project was initiated in 2004 with a view to maximising hydro potential of River Jhelum. The project was substantially completed in December 2009.
The dam was raised by 30 feet in December 2009 to increase water storage level of the reservoir upto 1242 feet above mean sea level. Thus, water storage capacity of the Mangla reservoir increased to 7.4 MAF from 4.6 MAF. As a result of the raised Mangla Dam, the additional 2.88 MAF of water can irrigate another 1.314 million acres of land, and generate 644 million additional units of electricity per annum from the existing Mangla Hydel Power Station. With completion of the raised Mangla Dam, the Mangla has become the biggest water reservoir in the country surpassing Tarbela, which has a live storage capacity of 6.45 MAF.
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