Umiam Lake (Commonly Known to as Barapani Lake) is a reservoir in capitals 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Shillong in the state of Meghalaya, India. It was produced by damming the Umiam River in the early 1960s. The primary catchment area of the lake and also dam is topped 220 square km.
History of Umiam Lake
Umiam Dam, which impounds the lake, was built by the Assam State Electricity Board in the very 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.
Also known as the Bara pani or Big Water lake, the Umiam Lake is a vast and also scenic storage tank, crowding tourists from all across the city. The lake is a part of the Dam that was the first Hydel Power Job construction in the state. It was planned to be a tank to the Dam, but turned out to be a major tourist point in Shillong.
One can enjoy water activities like kayaking, water cycling, boating and also scooting here. The tourists can also delight in row boats, paddle boats, sailing boats, and cruise ship along with speed boats. The picturesque as well as scenic setting originates from the soaring East Khasi Hills surrounding the lake. The lake is usually contrasted to the beautiful lakes of Scotland. There is also a garden, Lum Nehru Park for the tourists which is an optimal digital photography area. Lots of little islands rise from the water and show up mesmerizing when glimpsed from the UCC. There are lots of other fun tasks for the children, besides boating.
Weather: Summer 15 To 25°C to °C Winter 5 To 15°C to °C
The lake works as a significant visitor destination for the state of Meghalaya. It is also a popular destination for water sport and adventure facilities. Tourists visit this spot for kayaking, water cycling, scooting, and boating.
How to Reach Umiam Lake
One can take a taxi or a cab ride from Shillong and also reach the beautiful lake using the breathtaking NH6 course. It is a short one hr drive from any area in Shillong.
The Shillong Airport is the closest airport to Umiam Lake. One can take a cab ride and also get to the attractive lake in concerning 25 minutes via the Shillong Bypass Road.
