Udawalawe Reservoir sits on the boundary of Ratnapura and Monaragala Districts, formed by damming the Walawe River with one of Sri Lanka's longer earth embankments. The dam stretches roughly 3.9 km in total length — a combination of an embankment section and a gravity section — and the reservoir it creates measures around 8.6 km long with a maximum width of approximately 7 km. Beyond irrigation, the dam drives three hydroelectric turbines, each rated at 2 MW, which were commissioned in April 1969. For most visitors, however, the reservoir is best known as the southern boundary of Udawalawe National Park and a productive habitat for birdlife, crocodiles, and the elephants that come to drink at its shores.
What is the history behind Udawalawe Dam?
Construction of the Udawalawe Dam was part of Sri Lanka's post-independence push to harness the Walawe River basin for large-scale irrigation in the dry-zone districts of Sabaragamuwa and Uva. The project transformed thousands of hectares of scrub and paddy land downstream and gave surrounding villages a reliable water supply through dry-season months when the south-east receives little rain. The dam's gravity section handles the structural load of the spillway infrastructure, while the longer embankment section retains the bulk of the stored water. Five tainter-gate spillways at the eastern end regulate water releases, supplemented by two additional spillways positioned closer to the centre of the dam. Together they allow engineers to manage the reservoir's level with precision across seasons of very different rainfall intensity.
What wildlife can I see at Udawalawe Reservoir?
The open water and grassy margins of the reservoir create a reliable feeding and drinking stop for wildlife moving through the national park. Asian elephants gather in numbers along the shore, particularly during the dry season between May and September, when water sources outside the park shrink. Mugger crocodiles bask on exposed mud banks, and the wetland edges support painted storks, open-billed storks, purple herons, and a range of migratory waterfowl. Fishing cats, wild boar, and spotted deer are regularly seen from the bund road in the early morning.
- Elephants — often visible in herds of ten or more near the water's edge at dusk
- Mugger crocodiles — frequently sunning on mud banks within the reservoir's sheltered bays
- Waterbirds — painted storks, open-billed storks, cormorants, and kingfishers year-round
- Deer and boar — common along the grassy reservoir margins at dawn and dusk
Visitors interested in crocodile watching will find the reservoir's calm, shallow bays among the more productive spots in the southern region of Sri Lanka.
How does the reservoir relate to Udawalawe National Park?
The reservoir is not simply adjacent to the park — it is structurally central to it. When the dam was completed and the valley flooded, the resulting wetland became a magnet for the dry-zone fauna that now defines the national park's character. The park was established in 1972 partly to protect the catchment and the wildlife displaced by the flooding. Today the reservoir forms the southern and south-western edge of the park boundary, and the bund road along the dam crest is a legitimate wildlife-viewing route accessible without a park entry ticket. Jeep safaris operating inside the park frequently approach the reservoir edge for elephant and bird viewing.
Just outside the park, near the reservoir's northern shore, the Elephant Transit Home operates as a government rehabilitation centre for orphaned elephant calves, many of them found near the reservoir or the park's fringes. Visiting the transit home pairs naturally with a morning spent on the bund road or an afternoon safari.
When is the best time to visit Udawalawe Reservoir?
The dry season between May and September is the period most recommended for wildlife viewing around the reservoir. Water levels drop, concentrating animals along the remaining shoreline and making sightings more predictable. The months of December to March can also be productive for birdwatching, when migratory species from Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent swell the waterbird counts.
| Season | Months | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season (peak wildlife) | May – September | Large elephant herds, crocodile activity, lower water levels |
| Inter-monsoon | October – November | Lush vegetation, fewer crowds, some road closures possible |
| North-east monsoon | December – March | Good birdwatching, migratory waterfowl present |
| Pre-monsoon | April | Transition period; wildlife activity building again |
How do I get to Udawalawe Reservoir from Colombo?
Udawalawe lies roughly 165 km south-east of Colombo, and most visitors arrive by private vehicle along the A18 highway via Ratnapura or via the southern expressway (E01) to Matara and then inland through Embilipitiya. The drive from Colombo typically takes between three and four hours depending on route and traffic. There is no direct train service to Udawalawe itself; the nearest railway stations are at Ratnapura or Matara, both requiring onward road transport. A private car or organised tour transfer remains the most practical and comfortable option.
What else is worth visiting near the reservoir?
The town of Embilipitiya, around 15 km from the dam, serves as the main gateway settlement with accommodation options and fuel. Travellers continuing eastward can reach Ella in roughly two hours, combining a safari day at Udawalawe with the scenic hill-country landscapes of Uva Province. Those heading north-west towards Sinharaja Forest Reserve can do so in under two hours, making the reservoir a logical stop on a southern-circuit itinerary that links lowland wildlife with rainforest biodiversity.
Is swimming or boating allowed on Udawalawe Reservoir?
The reservoir is primarily a regulated irrigation and hydroelectric facility, and recreational access is restricted in most areas. Swimming is not advisable given the presence of mugger crocodiles throughout the water body. Informal fishing occurs along certain sections of the bank by local communities under traditional arrangements, but commercial or tourist boat operations on the reservoir itself are not an established activity. For a more organised water experience in the broader region, kayaking options exist at nearby reservoirs — the Hadapanagala Reservoir near Ella is accessible within roughly an hour's drive.
