Kehelgamu Oya
Downstream view of the Kehelgamu Oya, as seen from the bridge near Kalugala, Sri Lanka.
Physical characteristics
SourceHorton Plains
Mouth 
 • location
Kalugala
 • coordinates
06°58′58″N 80°27′00″E / 6.98278°N 80.45000°E / 6.98278; 80.45000
Length50 km (31 mi)
Basin features
River systemKelani

The Kehelgamu Oya (translated into Kehelgamu River from Sinhala) is a major upstream tributary of the Kelani River. The tributary measures 50 km (31 mi) in length, originating from the hills of the Horton Plains National Park, before passing through the Castlereigh Reservoir. Kehelgamu Oya converges with the Maskeliya Oya at Kalugala, forming the 100 km (62 mi) long Kelani River. The river is heavily used for hydroelectric power generation.[1][2]

Features on the river

The following table lists the features along the Kehelgamu Oya, from its origins further upstream. Some dams hold back water, and transfer a percentage of it to hydroelectric power stations located further downstream, via tunnels.

TypeSubjectLocation
Water airportCastlereigh Water Airport06°51′33″N 80°35′00″E / 6.85917°N 80.58333°E / 6.85917; 80.58333 (Castlereigh Water Airport (IATA: NUF))
DamCastlereigh Dam06°52′24″N 80°33′59″E / 6.87333°N 80.56639°E / 6.87333; 80.56639 (Castlereigh Dam)
Power stationWimalasurendra Power Station06°54′31″N 80°31′30″E / 6.90861°N 80.52500°E / 6.90861; 80.52500 (Wimalasurendra Power Station)
DamNorton Dam06°54′50″N 80°31′18″E / 6.91389°N 80.52167°E / 6.91389; 80.52167 (Norton Dam)
WaterfallAberdeen Falls06°56′55″N 80°30′07″E / 6.94861°N 80.50194°E / 6.94861; 80.50194 (Aberdeen Falls)
DamKehelgamu Weir06°59′07″N 80°27′24″E / 6.98528°N 80.45667°E / 6.98528; 80.45667 (Kehelgamu Weir)
ConfluenceKelani River06°58′58″N 80°27′00″E / 6.98278°N 80.45000°E / 6.98278; 80.45000 (Confluence of Kehelgamu Oya and Maskeliya Oya)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Issues of Kelani River Basin" (PDF). EDM.lk. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "CEB Hydropower Generation". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.


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