MAHL HYDROPOWER PROJECT

1. PROJECT LOCATION

The project is located in Jhelum river valley about 22 km downstream of Kohala bridge
and about 60 km south of Muzaffarabad and 85 km north-east of Rawalpindi. The dam
site would be located downstream of confluence of Mahl river and Jhelum river. The
catchment of Jhelum river at Mahl dam site is 26100 km2. The whole catchment is
mountainous and mostly fed by rain, partly with snow fall and melting of glaciers.
The coordinates of dam and powerhouse sites are listed below.

Table – 1: Coordinates for Mahl HPP

Site Latitude Longitude
Weir 330 – 54’ – 10” 730 – 35’ – 02”
Powerhouse 330 – 54’ – 00” 730 – 35’– 04”

2. ACCESSIBILITY
The project area is accessible through a metalled road from Rawalpindi. There are two
ways to approach the project area. The first way is through Murree to Kohala and then
to Mahl dam site along left bank of Jhelum river. The second road route is from Murree
directly to dam site via Kotli Sattian. On both ways, the road runs at higher elevations.
The distance from Rawalpindi to powerhouse site via Kotli Satian is 85 km and to dam
site at Hari Ghel is 125 km. All roads are metalled but single road.

3. FLOWS AT MAHL DAM SITE

For Mahl project, the daily flows at Kohala gauging station have been considered. The
catchment area of Jhelum river at Kohala station is 24,890 km2 where as that of Mahl
river confluence, it is 26,049 km2. A correction factor of 0.9825 has been applied by
comparing the flows of Jhelum river at Kohala and at Azad Pattan. The flow availability
with their duration is presented in the table below.

Table – 2: Estimated Flows for Jhelum River at Mahl Dam

Discharge Discharge
Flow Availability 3 Flow Availability
(m /s) (m3/s)
Q100 (100% of the year) 103.4 Q40 (40% of the year) 797.2
Q90 (90% of the year) 179.9 Q30 (30% of the year) 1082.5
MAHL DAM SITE
Q80 (80% of the year) 225.6 Q- YEAR
10 DAILY FLOWS 20
(20%1989
of the year) 1410.5
3000
Q70 (70% of the year) 286.3 Q10 (10% of the year) 1802.1
2439

Q60 (60%
2500 of the year) 386.7 Q00 (00% of the year) 10641.8
2132

Q50 (50% of the year) 555.6 Qav (Mean Annual) 795.4

DISCHARGE (m /s)

1792

1784

1734
1737

2000
3

1563
1555

1410

The mean1500
annual flows of Jhelum river at Mahl dam site has been estimated as
1332

1119

3
795.4 m /s by using flow data of Kohala from 1969 to 2004. The flow pattern of
1071
1011
916

average year
1000 1989 is presented in the figure below.
848
750

639

Figure 1. 10 Daily Flows at Mahl Dam site

559
509
473
447

366
360

329

500
300
290

268
266
234

214
220
211

208
190
188
178

0
MAY-1
MAY-2
MAY-3
MAR-1
MAR-2
MAR-3
JAN-1
JAN-2
JAN-3

APR-1
APR-2
APR-3

AUG-3

NOV-1

NOV-3
AUG-1
AUG-2

NOV-2
FEB-1

JUL2
FEB-2
FEB-3

JUN-1
JUN-2
JUN-3
JUL-1

JUL-3

SEP-1
SEP-2
SEP-3

OCT-2
OCT-3

DEC-1
DEC-2
DEC-3
OCT-1
 • Jhelum river at Domel contribute about 41% to the flows at dam site.

• Neelum river at Muzaffarabad contribute about 40% to the flows at dam

site.

• Kunhar river contribute about 13% to the flows at dam site.

• The tributaries downstream of Kunhar river that confluence with Jhelum

river to Mahl dam site are Agar nullah, Kaner Kas and Mahl river with their
contribution of about 6% to the flows at Mahl dam site.

4. Geology

The rocks outcropped in the project area are alternate beds of sandstone (SS1+SS2)
and shales of Murree formation (Miocene age). Sandstone is moderate to highly
fractured. Shale is highly broken and sheared. The slopes are mostly covered with
overburden of various thickness. Slides, slips and creeps are common in the area.

- Sandstone (SS1)
Light grey, hard to very hard, medium grained, moderately jointed and highly fractured
at places. Calcite veins and patches are common.

- Sandstone (SS2)
Brownish grey, medium hard, fine grained moderately Jointed intercalated by shale,
Calcite veins and patches are common.

4.1 Site Geology

Mahl site is located on Jhelum river just downstream of the confluence of the Mahl and
Jhelum rivers, in Murree formation (Miocene age) which consists of alternate beds of
sandstone (SS1 + SS2) and shale, SS1 is light greenish grey, hard, medium grained,
moderately jointed and highly fractured at places.
Calcite veins and patches are common. Sandstone-SS2 is brownish grey, medium
hard, fine grained, moderately jointed and intereclated by shale. Calcite veins and
 patches are also common. Shales are reddish brown, soft, splintery sheared at places
and have the tendancy to disintegrate quickly in the wet conditions and create sliding
which is the common phenomenon in Murree formation. At the proposed site, valley is
V-shaped and river is + 50 m wide between steeply sloping banks (50o - 70o ) of thick
sandstone with shale interbeds The left bank slopes at an angle of approximately (30o
- 50o ) from the river and rock is exposed to a height of about 50 m, then slopes are
covered with “Loose” talus material (ABGM). Both slopes are thickly vegetated with
shrubs, bushes, grass and different kinds of trees.

The strike and dip of bedding noted at left and right banks is as:

NS / 69o E) (on left bank)

NS / 80o E) (on right banks)

This indicate an anticline structure present at dam axis. The river bed is covered with
thick alluvial cover (RBGM), highly permeable and bed rock is expected deep in river
bed. Just upstream of the confluence a series of thick sandstone beds with shale inter
beds outcrop on both banks of Mahl river steep slopes. The strike of beds is across
the Mahl river dipping upstream at an angle of 80o. Some joints noted on the left bank
are as:
- N 50o W / 80o NE) (Bedding Joint)
- N 45o E / 80o SE)
- N 40o / 5o SE)
- N 50o W / Vertical

Generally, the joints are open and filled with silty clay. Shearing along some joints is
also observed. A large active slide (+ 30 m in length) is present on the right bank of
Mahl river extending from the bridge on Mahl river down to the confluence with Jhelum
river. The left side slopes of thick sandstone are more stable than of the right side and
suitable for construction of diversion/power tunnels. Powerhouse is expected to be
founded on rock. Extensive grouting is needed under foundation and in the abutments
for the stability purposes.

The reservoir will be created in Murree formation, consisting of alternate beds

sandstone and shales. Generally, the slopes on both sides are 45o - 60o, and look
stable upto Kohala bridge in upstream end and are thickly vegetated by different types
of trees, bushes, shrubs and grass. Both side slopes are unstable upstream of Kohala
bridge to tail end of reservoir due to frequent active slides.

The seismic map of the region prepared by Pakistan Meteorological Department,

Geophysical Institute, Quetta indicates that the project area lies in a very active zone
which is designed as ‘Zone of Significant Seismic Danger’ with acceleration values of
0.05g to 0.3g. It is, therefore, suggested that due consideration should be given in
design for a safe seismic factor.

5. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT COMPONENTS

 The identified scheme “Mahl Hydropower Project” is basically a run-off-river scheme.
A small storage in the lake upstream of dam would be used for daily peaking. The
identified capacity of the project is 245MW; however, the capacity of the project can be
optimized / increased to 750 MW, which will be obtained due to gross head of 81 m and
design discharge of 1200 m3/s. The plant will be a peaking plant yielding annual energy
of 3798 GWh to be delivered to National grid at Rawat through a double circuit 220 kV
transmission line.

5.1 DAM SITE

The dam site is selected just downstream of the confluence of Mahl river with Jhelum
river, where rock on both banks of River is available. The river bed elevation is assumed
as 490 m.a.s.l.

A 100 m high concrete gravity dam with crest length as 3500 m with crest elevation of
590 m has been proposed. The dam would consist of 10 bottom outlets to release 1000
years estimated flood of 33,236 m3/s. Each bottom outlet would be 10 m high and 10 m
wide. The maximum operating level would be 585 m.a.s.l approx. For diverting the river
to left or right side, coffer dam both on upstream and downstream would be constructed.
Local material available near the dam would be used for coffer dam.

5.2 RESERVOIR
Due to relatively mild bed slope and V shape of valley a small reservoir would be
created upstream of the dam. The maximum and minimum head water levels have been
proposed as 585 m.a.s.l. respectively. The reservoir would be approximately 28 km long
and surface area of 13 km2. The live storage volume of 5.5 million m3 would be required
to provide design discharge of 1200 m3/s for 4 hours.

5.3 INTAKE STRUCTURE

The intake structure has been proposed on the right bank of Mahl River. In the identified
layout by MONENCO, two units of small size are proposed to be located in the dam
body adjacent to outlet bays. The proposed layout will house bottom outlets in the main
body to release flood water. The power intake and powerhouse are proposed on the
right bank. The intake structure would be for three power tunnels with cross section area
to have velocity less than 1 m/s. The structure would be placed between El. 550 to 540
m. This will avoid sediment entry into power intake. From intake structure headrace
tunnels would lead to the surge tank area.

5.4 HEADRACE TUNNELS

Three nos. headrace low pressure tunnels of diameter 12 m are proposed. The
approximate length of the headrace tunnel would be 700 m. The design discharge for
each tunnel will be 400 m3/s.

The tunnel would be concrete lined, the rock cover over tunnel varies from 100 to 350
m along the tunnel alignment. Each headrace tunnel would join a shaft type surge
chamber at about 540 m.a.s.l.

5.5 SURGE TANKS

 The surge tank of volume as 80,000 m3 is located on the right bank of Jhelum river. It
will be an underground structure of size 55 high with 25 m diameter. The maximum and
minimum water levels will be 615 m and 560 m respectively to absorb up and down
surges, due to change in power demand and power generation. An access road to the
portal of headrace tunnel and surge tank would be required.

5.6 PRESSURE SHAFT

From surge tank to powerhouse, three shafts would lead to powerhouse. The pressure
shaft would be steel lined and its approximate length would be 200 m. For three
pressure shafts, diameter of steel lined shaft will be 7.2 m. However, near the
powerhouse, it will be split into 2 branches for 6 turbine units.

5.7 POWERHOUSE
External slope type powerhouse is proposed on right bank of Jhelum river. The
powerhouse is proposed with six vertical shaft Francis turbine units. The turbine level is
499 m.a.s.l. The size of the powerhouse is 250 x 60 x 30 m. The powerhouse will
produce a minimum power of 120 MW and peak power of about 750 MW.

5.8 TAILRACE CANAL

The length of concrete lined tailrace canal would be 100 m discharging water from the
powerhouse to Jhelum river. The tailrace is proposed to be open channel dropping the
design flow into Jhelum river.

5.9 CONNECTIVITY TO THE GRID

Mahl project would be connected to National grid at Rawat with 500 k V or double circuit
220 k V lines.

6.0 SALIENT FEATURES OF MAHL HYDROPOWER PROJECT

- Design discharge = 1200 m3/s

- Gross head = 75 m
- Design capacity = 750 MW
- Mean annual energy = 3798 GWh
- Plant factor = 61.2 %
- Type of weir = Concrete Gravity
- Height of weir = 100 m
- Crest length of weir = 350 m
- No. of Flood gates = 10
- Tunnel Length = 3 x 700 m
- Diameter. of tunnel = 12 m
- Pressure shaft = 200 m
- Type of powerhouse = Surface Slope type
- No. of units = 6, Vertical Francis
- Tailrace length = 100 m
MAHL HYDROPOWER PROJECT - SUMMARY OF COST ESTIMATE
NO. DESCRIPTION FOR. LOCAL TOTAL
CIVIL WORKS
1 PREPARATORY WORKS 17.04 39.76 56.8
2 MOBILIZATION / DEMOBILIZATION 23.46 54.74 78.2
3 DIVERSION WORKS 25.56 17.04 42.6
4 MAIN DAM WITH SPILLWAYS 74.92 112.38 187.3
5 POWER TUNNELS 11.88 7.92 19.8
6 SURGE TANKS 27.60 18.40 46.0
7 PRESSURE SHAFT 7.28 2.43 9.7
8 POWERHOUSE 79.70 65.21 144.9
9 TAILRACE & OUTLET STRUCTURE 2.40 1.60 4.0
10 Sub total Civil Works (1 to 9) 269.8 319.5 589.3
11 HYDROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT 103.7 18.3 122.0
12 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 154.7 27.3 182.0
13 Sub total 11 to 13 528.2 365.1 893.3
14 TRANSPORTATION (E&M Equipment) 20.7 1.8 22.5
15 ERECTION & COMMISSIONING 25.8 4.6 30.4
16 CONTINGENCIES (15%) 79.2 54.8 134.0
17 ENGINEERING & SUPERVISION (10% of 13) 52.8 36.5 89.3
18 OWNER COST (10% of 1 3) 52.8 36.5 89.3
19 SUB TOTAL 13 to 18 759.6 499.2 1258.9
21 IMPORT CHARGES @ 5% OF 11 & 12 FOR. 12.9 12.9
22 TOTAL PROJECT COST 759.6 512.1 1271.8
23 TRANSMISSION LINE 14.0 42.0 56.0
24 PROJECT COST WITH TRANSMISSION 773.6 554.1 1327.8
25 IDC FOR PROJECT COST 378.918
26 IDC FOR TRANSMISSION 6.257
27 TOTAL COST WITH TRANS+IDC 1712.945

Figure 2. 10 Daily Flows at Mahl Dam site

MAHL HYDROPOWER PROJECT
MEAN MONTHLY PEAK/OFF PEAK ENERGY
600

500
ENERGY (GWh)

OFF PEAK ENERGY

400
PEAK ENERGY

450.22 465.23 450.22 465.23

300
360.53

200 231.35
186.99

100 96.88
76.85 61.71
47.95 52.37
81.81 90.04 93.05 90.04 93.05 93.05 71.79
45.13 47.47 54.91 46.73 46.01
0
J AN FEB MAR APR MAY J UN J UL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
MONTH