Chashma Barrage

Chashma Barrage is nestled on the Indus River in the Mianwali District, Punjab, Pakistan. It is intended for irrigation, power generation, flood control, and environmental protection.

Engineering & Hydrological Features

The barrage has 52 gates (41 standard bays + 11 undersluice bays) to regulate flow. Spillway capacity is very large, enabling protection against floods. It regulates flows not just of the Indus, but also helps with unregulated flows of the River Kabul. It plays a role in inter-basin linkages (e.g., Chashma–Jhelum Link Canal). 

Ecological & Wildlife Significance

It is designated as a wildlife sanctuary and a Ramsar wetland (site no. 816), and it spans about 34,099 hectares. It serves as a sanctuary for aquatic plants and waterbirds. Up to 200,000 waterbirds visit during spring and autumn for migration and breeding. Over 50 species, including globally threatened ones, breed here. Cranes are a notable highlight. The area is also part of the Chashma-Taunsa Barrage Dolphin Sanctuary. Indus River Dolphins are found in stretches around Chashma.

Challenges & Conservation Issues

Over the decades, about half of the original storage capacity has been lost to silt due to sedimentation.  Environmental concerns include pollution, disturbance to fish populations, and changes in river ecology downstream. Managing water levels and flow for both ecological health (wildlife, fish) and human uses (irrigation, canals).