Maithon Dam

About Maithon Dam

Maithon Dam was constructed by the Damodar Valley Corporation in 1957 as part of the multi-dam flood control and power generation system on the Damodar River. The 65 sq km reservoir it created has filled with water that reflects the forested Rajmahal Hills on the north bank, and the Deer Park Island — a forested landmass that sits in the middle of the reservoir — has become the centrepiece of the Maithon tourism experience. Boating to the Deer Park Island is the main activity at Maithon. DVC manages a fleet of motorised boats and smaller paddle craft from the main Maithon ghat, with the island crossing taking about 15 minutes. The island itself has a small deer population, maintained walking trails through sal and mixed forest, and the sensation of being on a forested island in the middle of a large lake is genuinely distinctive. Birdlife on and around the reservoir includes kingfishers, cormorants, herons, and during winter, migratory waterfowl. The dam wall itself is an impressive concrete structure — walking across it gives views of both the reservoir on one side and the downstream gorge on the other. The DVC Guest House near the dam accommodates overnight visitors, making Maithon one of the few Jharkhand nature sites where a comfortable overnight stay is straightforwardly available. Maithon and Panchet Dam (15 km away) are typically visited together on the same day.