Projects
Gated Salinity Barrier across Walawe River at Ambalantota
GATED SALINITY BARRIER ACROSS WALAWE RIVER AT AMBALANTOTA
- Client: National Water Supply and Drainage Board
- Date of commencement: January, 2010
- Date of completion: March, 2013
A gated salinity barrier was installed to prevent upstream saltwater intrusion and maintain water levels at >1m above mean sea level during dry spells. The project also enhances raw-water extraction by 28,000m
3/day, meeting projected demand in the Hambantota District until 2025. The barrier consists of an 18.7m-wide reinforced-concrete base across the river, six reinforced-concrete piers and two abutment walls. Five vertical wheel gates with hoist mechanisms have been installed, together with one sluice gate and a gantry crane. The scope also covered the installation of a riverbed protection system, construction of upstream and downstream embankment protection walls, and landscaping.