Maskeliya Oya
Maskeliya River
Downstream view of the Maskeliya Oya, as seen from near the Polpitiya Hydroelectric Power Station.
Physical characteristics
SourcePeak Wilderness Sanctuary
MouthKelani River
 • location
Kalugala
 • coordinates
06°58′58″N 80°27′00″E / 6.98278°N 80.45000°E / 6.98278; 80.45000
Length40 km (25 mi)

The Maskeliya Oya (translated into Maskeliya River from Sinhala) is a major upstream tributary of the Kelani River. The tributary measures approximately 40 km (25 mi) in length, originating from the hills of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, before passing through the Maskeliya Reservoir. Maskeliya Oya converges with the Kehelgamu 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 major features along the Maskeliya 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
WaterfallFairlawn Falls06°46′20″N 80°37′20″E / 6.77222°N 80.62222°E / 6.77222; 80.62222 (Fairlawn Falls)
ReservoirMaskeliya Reservoir06°49′47″N 80°33′40″E / 6.82972°N 80.56111°E / 6.82972; 80.56111 (Maskeliya Reservoir)
DamMaskeliya Dam06°50′37″N 80°32′56″E / 6.84361°N 80.54889°E / 6.84361; 80.54889 (Maskeliya Dam)
Power stationCanyon Hydroelectric Power Station06°52′09″N 80°31′40″E / 6.86917°N 80.52778°E / 6.86917; 80.52778 (Canyon Hydroelectric Power Station)
DamCanyon Dam06°52′18″N 80°31′34″E / 6.87167°N 80.52611°E / 6.87167; 80.52611 (Canyon Dam)
WaterfallLaxapana Falls06°53′57″N 80°30′03″E / 6.89917°N 80.50083°E / 6.89917; 80.50083 (Laxapana Falls)
Power stationNew Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Station06°55′05″N 80°29′31″E / 6.91806°N 80.49194°E / 6.91806; 80.49194 (New Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Station)
Power stationOld Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Station06°55′07″N 80°29′30″E / 6.91861°N 80.49167°E / 6.91861; 80.49167 (Old Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Station)
DamLaxapana Dam06°55′08″N 80°29′22″E / 6.91889°N 80.48944°E / 6.91889; 80.48944 (Laxapana Dam)
Power stationPolpitiya Hydroelectric Power Station06°58′40″N 80°27′24″E / 6.97778°N 80.45667°E / 6.97778; 80.45667 (Polpitiya Hydroelectric Power Station)
DamBroadlands Dam06°58′43″N 80°27′16″E / 6.97861°N 80.45444°E / 6.97861; 80.45444 (Broadlands Dam)
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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