Highland Lakes - large reservoirs & small ponds in Sri Lanka
Randenigala Reservoir with Knuckles Range in the background
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Most of Sri Lanka's lakes are situated in the lowlands. And most of those are artificial waterbodies. And most of these are of ancient origin. Famous ancient reservoirs are Kalawewa and Minneriya.
However, this short article is about highland lakes and ponds. The central highlands of Sri Lanka may be rich in streams and rivers, but there are almost no natural lakes in the hillcountry. All of the large highland lakes are reservoirs. In contrast to the lowland reservoires, they are modern and used for both irrigational and power generating purposes. All dams of the six largest highland reservoirs are from the period of independence after colonial rule. The two largest are Victoria Reservoir and Randenigala Reservoir in the lower Mahaweli highland valley, to the east of Kandy. A third reservoir futher downstream, Rantambe, is smaller and partly situated in the eastern plains but reaching the foot of the hillcountry. The largest reservoir of the Mahaweli river system further upstream, south of Kandy and almost in the center of the highland region, is Kotmale, which can be seen from the mountain road when traveling from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda. However, in the southeastern highlands are two more large reservoirs, namely Castlereagh and Maussakelle. The latter is also known as Maskeliya Reservoir, it's the lake just below Siri Pada (Adam's Peak) and even larger, covering 7.25 square kilometers. Both Castlereagh and Maussakelle do not belong to the Mahaweli river system but to that of the Kelani Ganga, the mouth of which is near Colombo. Besides the large modern reservoirs, the one mile long Lake Gregory close to Nuwara Eliya is next in size. Lake Gregory, is a reservoir, too, but one century older, it's from the British colonial period. The newest large reservoir, Kaluganga, is situated near the northeastern foot of the central highlands.
From a touristical perspective, Kotmale and Maussakelle are most noteworthy. The valley of Kotmale has some less-visited attractions that nonetheless deserve to be called extraordinary, namely the Kadadora temple under the reservoir's water level reemerging in dry periods and also the island's largest modern stupa of Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya. Maussakkelle is unsurpassed in scenic beauty, surronded by hilly tea plantations, towered by the iconic triangular mountain of Siri Pada and fed by several waterfalls. One of them, Gartmore, has Sri Lanka's most famous natural infinity pool, just above the waterfalls.
Natural pools are mainly found below waterfalls. Due to currents, most of them are not safe for swimming. Rangale natural pool is safe for normal swimmers, but non-swimmers suffered fatal accidents because of a sudden drop of the bottom of the pool. The pool of Rahas Ella at Wattegama has a reputation of being cursed, but it's safe for swimming. Knuckles Range is crowded with opportunities to take a refreshing bath.
However, this short article is about highland lakes and ponds. The central highlands of Sri Lanka may be rich in streams and rivers, but there are almost no natural lakes in the hillcountry. All of the large highland lakes are reservoirs. In contrast to the lowland reservoires, they are modern and used for both irrigational and power generating purposes. All dams of the six largest highland reservoirs are from the period of independence after colonial rule. The two largest are Victoria Reservoir and Randenigala Reservoir in the lower Mahaweli highland valley, to the east of Kandy. A third reservoir futher downstream, Rantambe, is smaller and partly situated in the eastern plains but reaching the foot of the hillcountry. The largest reservoir of the Mahaweli river system further upstream, south of Kandy and almost in the center of the highland region, is Kotmale, which can be seen from the mountain road when traveling from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda. However, in the southeastern highlands are two more large reservoirs, namely Castlereagh and Maussakelle. The latter is also known as Maskeliya Reservoir, it's the lake just below Siri Pada (Adam's Peak) and even larger, covering 7.25 square kilometers. Both Castlereagh and Maussakelle do not belong to the Mahaweli river system but to that of the Kelani Ganga, the mouth of which is near Colombo. Besides the large modern reservoirs, the one mile long Lake Gregory close to Nuwara Eliya is next in size. Lake Gregory, is a reservoir, too, but one century older, it's from the British colonial period. The newest large reservoir, Kaluganga, is situated near the northeastern foot of the central highlands.
From a touristical perspective, Kotmale and Maussakelle are most noteworthy. The valley of Kotmale has some less-visited attractions that nonetheless deserve to be called extraordinary, namely the Kadadora temple under the reservoir's water level reemerging in dry periods and also the island's largest modern stupa of Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya. Maussakkelle is unsurpassed in scenic beauty, surronded by hilly tea plantations, towered by the iconic triangular mountain of Siri Pada and fed by several waterfalls. One of them, Gartmore, has Sri Lanka's most famous natural infinity pool, just above the waterfalls.
Natural pools are mainly found below waterfalls. Due to currents, most of them are not safe for swimming. Rangale natural pool is safe for normal swimmers, but non-swimmers suffered fatal accidents because of a sudden drop of the bottom of the pool. The pool of Rahas Ella at Wattegama has a reputation of being cursed, but it's safe for swimming. Knuckles Range is crowded with opportunities to take a refreshing bath.
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