Matatila Dam

Matatila Dam is a large earthen and masonry dam built across the Betwa River on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh near Talbehat in Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh. Completed in 1958, it creates a vast reservoir used for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The Uttar Pradesh side offers viewpoints over the reservoir, dam structure and surrounding forested hills, making it a popular local spot for sightseeing, photography and boating.

Visitors on the Uttar Pradesh side can expect expansive views of the Betwa River reservoir, the long earthen dam embankment and spillway gates, and forested hills surrounding the water. The area includes road access along the dam top, viewpoints for photography, and space for leisurely walks. Boating is often available on the reservoir, and the calm waters and open landscape provide opportunities for birdwatching and picnicking in a quiet, semi-rural setting.

Matatila Dam was constructed between 1952 and 1958 across the Betwa River as a joint project of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is an earthen dam with masonry spillway, about 35 meters high and over 6,300 meters long, built primarily for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation with an installed capacity of 30 MW. It remains a key irrigation source for the Bundelkhand region.