Dams in Madhya Pradesh are constructed over several rivers which include Chambal River, Son River, Narmada River, Barna, etc. The dams constructed in Madhya Pradesh with the aim of providing water for the irrigation of agricultural lands. These also serve as the major source of drinking water and for the generation of hydro electric power. Various dams are there in Madhya Pradesh which help in the irrigation and also serve as some of the most beautiful tourist destinations. The dams help in boosting the agricultural economy of Madhya Pradesh to a large extent.

Bansagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh
One of the most prominent dams in Madhya Pradesh is the Bansagar or Ban Sagar. It is a multipurpose river valley project, built on the River Son. The dam is situated in Ganga River Basin in Madhya Pradesh. The main purpose for the construction of this dam was to improve both hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. The Bansagar Dam is erected at village called Deolond in Shahdol district. The Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh decided upon an agreement in the year 1973 for the construction of the dam. The construction of this dam was initiated in the year 1978

Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh
Bargi Dam is another major dam of Madhya Pradesh. This is the first dam of its kind which was constructed over the Narmada River. The Bargi Dam is located in close proximity with Jabalpur. The construction work of the Bargi Dam was initiated in the year 1974 and the construction of this small dam got completed in the year 1990, when the dam was filled to its complete capacity. This dam is one of the chief sources of water and it also uses its water for the generation of Hydro electric power.

Barna Dam in Madhya Pradesh
Barna Dam was constructed over the Barna River. It is another prominent dam of Madhya Pradesh and is built at a height of nearly 48 metres. This dam acts as the prime source of irrigation the region.

Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh
Another prominent dam in this state is Gandhi Sagar Dam. The Water Resources Department of Madhya Pradesh is in charge of maintaining Gandhi Sagar Dam. The construction of this dam was started in 1954 and it was completed in 1970. The Gandhi Sagar Dam is 513 metres in length and the height of this dam is around 62.20 metres. It is probably the first among the four dams that were constructed on Chambal River.

Other Dams in Madhya Pradesh
Another prominent dam in Madhya Pradesh is the Rajghat Dam, which stands on the Betwa River. This dam is situated at a distance of about 22 kilometres from Lalitpur. It is an inter-state project constructed in collaboration by the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Tawa Reservoir is located in Hoshangabad District in Madhya Pradesh. This large reservoir is located on Tawa River. This reservoir was created only after the building of the Tawa Dam, which began in the year 1958 and the construction work was completed in the year 1978. At the time of the construction of the Tawa reservoir, almost forty-four villages were submerged. Tawa Reservoir is nestled between the western boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. Water Resources Department of Madhya Pradesh bears the responsibility to maintain the Tawa Reservoir. The reservoir is almost 57.91 metres high and 1,815 metres long. Indirasagar Project is a multipurpose key project of the Madhya Pradesh built over Narmada River at Narmadanagar District.

Dams and reservoirs in Madhya Pradesh help in the irrigation of large patches of land in the state and they also cater to the drinking water requirements of the locality. They also help in the generation of hydro electricity. The picturesque location of some of the major dams in Madhya Pradesh and the famous attractions situated close to them, serve as some of the favourable tourist destinations in the state.