The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 133 thousand million cubic feet (TMC).
The construction of the dam was a joint venture between the erstwhile states of Hyderabad and Madras.
The project was inaugurated in 1953 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
The reservoir area is a designated Important Bird Area, known for hosting migratory waterfowl during winter months.
The masonry dam design incorporates 33 spillway gates to regulate water outflow during monsoon flooding.
The Tungabhadra Dam, also known as the Pampa Sagar reservoir, is a multipurpose project situated across the Tungabhadra River near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi. Built in the early 1950s, the structure features a gravity-based dam design spanning approximately 2.4 kilometers in length. The reservoir provides irrigation and hydroelectric power to the surrounding districts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The integrated complex includes the Pampa Sagar garden, a landscaped park located at the base of the dam featuring musical fountains and diverse floral displays. The dam reservoir is a significant water body created by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers.
The elevated viewing deck at the top of the dam providing a panoramic view of the spillway and the Pampa Sagar lake.
Visit the garden area in the evening when the musical fountain show is operational.
Bring binoculars for birdwatching near the water's edge.
Carry a valid photo ID as the site is a high-security zone.
Do not attempt to swim in the reservoir or river, as the currents and underwater terrain are treacherous.
The gardens may remain closed or restricted during heavy monsoon discharge periods for safety reasons.
Maintain silence near the dam crest; do not cross security barriers; photography is prohibited in specific restricted zones of the dam structure.
