Ma Mya Dam for irrigation and power generation

The Government of the Union of Myanmar is implementing the plans of growing major crops namely paddy, sugarcane, cotton and beans and pulses for ensuring development of the economic sector. In doing so, various sizes of dams have been built in all parts of the country for regional development.

Ma Mya dam that can supply water as well as generate electricity was inaugurated in Myanaung Township of Ayeyawady Division last year.Construction of the dam was aimed at storing 70,000 acre-feet of water to irrigate 10,000 acres of farmlands in Myanaung Township and preventing the floods at farmlands on both banks of Ma Mya Creek.Ma Mya Creek that

originated at Rakhine mountain range flows into Ayeyawady River. Ma Mya Lay Creek, up- stream of Ma Mya Creek, flows into Ma Mya Gyi Creek. As a result, a large volume of water flows into Ma Mya Dam.

On our trip to Ma Mya Dam, we went along Pathein-Monywa road from Okshitpin junction. On reaching mile post 17/ 0, we proceeded one mile west of the road to the dam. At present, the right canal has been constructed and it supplies water to 5,000 acres of farmlands to grow summer paddy.

Ma Mya Dam was built near Hmyinwahtaung Village of Myanaung Township, Ayeyawady Division, by damming Ma Mya Gyi Creek. In the watershed area of the dam, a total of 240,000 physic nut plants, 300 mango trees, 800 tamarind trees, 200 coconut palms and 400 cashew plants are grown, and flowery plants are thriving there.

Accompanied by Staff Officer U Khin Maung Than, I studied electricity supply to the villages by installing micro hydropower generators at the water outlets along the right canal of the dam. China-made 2 KW, 3KW and 5KW generators were installing five water outlets together with turbine casing parts manufactured and installed by staff of Construction-9 of the Irrigation Department.

Moreover, engineers of the department calculated capacities of sizes of turbine casing, draft tubes, inflow of water and water level in installing the generators. Electricity is being supplied to Hmyinwahtaung and Ngabatkya villages.

The Construction-9 of the Irrigation Department is upholding the concepts that the dam contributes to greening its environs, cultivation of paddy and development of the country, and the government builds dams to develop villages and generate power by minimizing costs. Ma Mya Dam has over two miles long embankment and over 600 feet high water control tower. Hence, the dam is pleasantly located in harmony with its water storage area.

Ma Mya Dam will irrigate paddy fields and other crops fields forever. For ensuring development of rural areas, electricity is being generated at the dam. As a result, the rural people enjoy fruits of water and power supply thanks to the government's efforts. Local farmers can now concentrate on the extended cultivation of crops for the State and the people.