A dam is a reservoir that stops or restricts the flow of water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity. A dam can also be used to collect water or for storage of water which can be evenly distributed between locations.
List of largest Dams in India
| S.N | Name of Dam | River on which Dam is situated | State | Height | Length |
| 1 | Rihand Dam | Rihand River | Uttar Pradesh | 58.82 m (193ft) (1818 m from sea level) | 2.4km |
| 2 | Idukki Dam | Periyar | Kerala | 168.91 m (554 ft) | 365.85 m (1200 ft) |
| 5 | Jayakwadi Dam | Godavari | Maharashtra | 41.30 m (135 ft) | 9,998 m (32,802 ft) |
| 6 | Indira Sagar | Narmada | Madhya Pradesh | 92 m (302 ft) | 653 m (2,142 ft) |
| 7 | Sriram Sagar | Godavari | Telangana | 43 m (141 ft) | 15,600 m (51,181 ft) |
| 8 | Nagarjuna Sagar | Krishna | Andhra Pradesh and Telangana | 124.66 m (409 ft) | 4,865 m (15,961 ft) |
| 9 | Srisailam | Krishna | Andhra Pradesh and Telangana | 145 m (476 ft) | 512 m (1,680 ft) |
| 10 | Somasila | Pennar | Andhra Pradesh | 39 m (128 ft) | 760 m (2,493 ft) |
| 11 | Bhakra Dam | Sutlej | Himachal Pradesh | 226 m (741 ft) | 518 m (1,699 ft) |
| 12 | Hirakund Dam | Mahanadi River | Odisha | 183 m (600 ft) | 50 km (164,042 ft) |
| 13 | Rihand Dam | Rihand River | Uttar Pradesh | 91.44 m (300 ft) | 934.21 m (3065 ft) |
| 15 | Mettur Dam | River Kaveri | Tamil Nadu | 65 m (213.2 ft) | 1.7 km |