Siltation in Kaptai Lake hampers navigation, hydropower generation

Silt accumulation has significantly reduced the navigability of Kaptai Lake, limiting water storage capacity and affecting electricity generation at the Kaptai Hydropower Plant, officials say.

The artificial lake, created in the 1960s by damming the Karnaphuli River, supplies water to the country’s only hydropower plant. Experts say the absence of dredging over the past six decades has reduced the lake’s capacity, forcing excess water to be released during the monsoon while leaving insufficient reserves for power generation in the dry season.

Officials said only one of the plant’s five generating units can often remain operational during the dry season, producing around 40 megawatts. They believe dredging the lake could allow one or two additional units to operate, increasing generation by 40 to 80 megawatts.

Local representatives also say siltation has increased flooding during the rainy season and disrupted waterway transport and agriculture.

Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant Managing Engineer Mahmud Hasan said dredging is essential to improve water storage, navigation and electricity generation.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board said an ECNEC-approved dredging project covering the Kachalong, Raingkyang and Shalak rivers will begin soon, aiming to improve navigability on several routes connected to Kaptai Lake.