Umiam Lake

Umiam Lake (locally known as Dam sait) is a reservoir in the hills 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Shillong in the state of Meghalaya, India. It was created by damming the Umiam River in the early 1960s. The principal catchment area of the lake and dam is spread over 225 square km. Umiam Dam, which impounds the lake, was built by the Assam State Electricity Board in the early 1960s. The dam's original purpose was to store water for hydroelectric power generation. The Umiam Stage I powerhouse, north of the lake, has four 9-MW turbine-generators, which entered commercial operation in 1965. Umiam Stage I was the first reservoir-storage hydroelectric project commissioned in the northeastern region of India. (Umtru Hydroelectric Project, a run-of-river project with an original capacity of 8.4 MW, began operation in 1957.) Three more stages of the Umiam Project were subsequently built downstream. Flanked by hills on all sides and lined by striking roadways and bridges, the gentle Umiam Lake is one of the reasons why the Guwahati-Shillong route is considered one of the most scenic in the region. The adjoining Orchid Lake Resort is a government-run facility where you can book lodges or grab a bite at the restaurant with fine views. The resort swimming pool, with its dramatic location on the edge of the hill overlooking the lake, is also open to visitors. Umiam Lake is Shillong’s major hub for water sports and boating. Paddle boats, water scooters, and speed boats are some of the plentiful options for those who look to hit the waters. There are many other resorts tucked in the serene lakeside woods where you can spend time amidst the quiet, natural surroundings.

Connectivity

Nearest Airport - Guwahati Airport: 102 kms, Shillong Airport: 14 kms,
Nearest Railway Station - Guwahati Railway station: 79 kms • Shillong by road to Umiam Lake – 21 kms