Estimation of water availability and optimization of power-potential of Akhori Dam with multiple existing uses on Indus river

Estimation of water availability in the Indus Basin and optimization of hydropower for Akhori reservoir are done in the present study. Akhori Dam is a fast-track project in WAPDA's program, but its viability is still to be confirmed. It is eminent in the sense that it is an off-channel storage project on Nandna Kas, a tributary of Haro river, and to be fed from surplus flows of Indus river at Tarbela. As about 84% flows of rivers of the Indus Basin occur during three summer months and a sizeable part of these flows is wasted due to non-availability of storage capacity, therefore, such reservoirs are very important from national point of view. The methodology is based upon establishing irrigation-demand, evaluation of Nandna Kas flows, estimation of water-availability in Indus Basin, using different approaches, and optimization of power potential & computation of energy-potential and economic benefits. As Nandna Kas is not gauged, its flows are computed using the rainfall data and Hyundai equation for the area for runoff computation. Irrigation-demands are established through shortages in IRSA indent at Tarbela, and through WAA allocation to provinces at canal heads at Kalabagh. The estimation of water-availability in Indus Basin and in Indus River are Performed by using both forward and backward techniques. The optimization of hydropower, through simulation, is done by using the software DRW (Design Reservoir for Windows). In the end, the peaking-power, energy-potential and hydropower benefits of the project are computed. The proposed off- channel reservoir has a diversion-structure, to tap surplus flows from Tarbela Reservoir, located on southeastern periphery of Tarbela Reservoir near Haripur Town.