Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir

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Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir - නාච්චාදූව වැව — Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir – නාච්චාදූව වැව

Although the original name of the Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir has not been definitely confirmed, based on historical text, this reservoir is believed to be the Mahadaragallaka Wewa Reservoir which is one of the sixteen large reservoirs built by King Mahasen (276-303 CE) as per the Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka (Brohier, 1980). Nachchaduwa lies just outside the city of Anuradhapura.

Centuries later King Dhatusena (459-477) built a canal (Jayaganga) to bring water to this reservoir from Kala Wewa. This reservoir is considered to be a bold scheme since huge flood water with very high velocity could come down the valley. The great chronicle Mahavamsa probably makes another reference to this reservoir during the time of King Moggallana II (535-555).

It is said that King Moggallana II, who lived 300 years later built the Passapatanavapi Reservoir by damming the Kadamba River (Malwathu Oya). This description matches well with Nachchaduwa. It is possible that Moggallana II could have expanded the work of Mahasen.

Nachchaduwa Wewa has three sluices to control its water levels. The main sluice is located near the southern end of the bund and releases water mainly to Tissa Wewa. The other two sluices release water to Nuwara Wewa.

According to H. Parker, Ancient Ceylon, “It was a bold scheme as floods estimated to amount to 11,000 cu ft per second were to be expected and there was no suitable rock over which they could be allowed to flow, but it was carried out successfully”

In 1906 the Irrigation Department took the responsibility to restore the reservoir which was ruined in the past. The Department also made further efforts in 1917 by improving the reservoir’s capacity. In 1957 the Great Flood caused severe damage to the reservoir, nevertheless, in 1958 the rehabilitation work was completed. Today it receives water from the Mahaweli System. The reservoir covers 1200 hectares ( 12 sq. kilometres) at full capacity.

Specifications of Nachchaduwa Wewa

Catchment	623 Sq. Km.
Length of Dam	1,646 m
Height of Dam	11 m
Capacity	55.7 million cu. m

Cobra guard stone found near Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir (Photo courtesy - Ms. Badra Kamaladasa)

Another ancient artifact found at Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir (Photo courtesy - Ms. Badra Kamaladasa)

Sluice gates fitted to the spill for diverting water to Nuwarawewa at Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir (Photo courtesy - Ms. Badra Kamaladasa)

Level of 1957/58 floods marked on a rock in reservoir abutment at Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir (Photo courtesy - Ms. Badra Kamaladasa)

Long view of Ancient Bisokutuwa of Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir (Photo courtesy - Ms. Badra Kamaladasa)

Beautiful view of Spilling of Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir (Photo courtesy - Ms. Badra Kamaladasa)

Restoration drawing prepared in 1904 of Nachchaduwa Wewa Reservoir (Photo courtesy - Ms. Badra Kamaladasa)

References

Brohier, R. (1980) Ancient irrigation works in Ceylon (1934). Colombo: Ministry of Mahaweli Development.
The Mahavamsa – Great Chronicle – history of Sri Lanka – mahawansa (no date) THE MAHAVAMSA | The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka. Available at: https://mahavamsa.org/ (Accessed: 28 September 2014).
Parker, H. (1909) Ancient Ceylon – An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilisation. London: Luzac & Co.

Also See

Map of the Nachchaduwa Wewa

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Traveling Directions to Nachchaduwa Wewa

Route from Anuradhapura Town to Nachchaduwa Wewa

Through :
Distance : 21 km
Travel time : 30 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map

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References

Also See

Map of the Nachchaduwa Wewa

Traveling Directions to Nachchaduwa Wewa

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