Asan Barrage

• Been to Asan Barrage? Please Rate it:

Asan Toursim - Asan Barrage Travel Guide

The wetland at Assan Barrage, is situated near the confluence of two perennial rivers Asan and Yamuna near Dehradun. The lake attracts a large number of waterfowl, both waders and divers. The birds listed as globally threatened species and in the IUCN Red Data Book have been observed at Asan.

The barrage is 287.5 m long, the river bed being 389.4 m above sea level, with minimum and maximum water levels respectively at 402.4 m and 403.3 m asl. The Asan reservoir exists throughout the year and is fed from the river Asan and the discharge channel of Yamuna through Dhalipur power house.

Asan Travel Destination

This is an ideal place for bird lovers, Ornithologists and Naturalists alike, who can travel easily up to the Assan barrage, and see thousands of birds who have travelled miles to be there. To watch a mallard or a red crested pochard, gently swimming a few hundred yards in wilderness is indeed an unforgettable sight.

Birds in Asan Barrage

Asan Barrage serves as a winter passage halt for trans-Himalayan migratory birds. These birds are spotted here on their way to southern India (October-November) and again on their way back (late February-March). By the end of October the Asan witnesses the arrival of migrants from Pale arctic region. The first to arrive is the shoveller followed by ruddy shelduck, mallard, coot, cormorant, egrets, wagtails, pond heron to name a few. Birds of prey like pallas fishing eagle, marsh harrier, greater spotted eagle, osprey and steppe eagle add to this magnificent diversity.

Birds: Greylag, Brahminy, C.Teal, Mallard, C. Pochard    
Arrival: October
Departure: March/April

Birds: Gadwall, Wigeon, RC pochard, Tufted    
Arrival: November
Departure: March/April

Birds: Pintail, Shoveller   
Arrival: December
Departure: March/April

Asan Weather and Climate

Summers : max.38° C, min. 14° C;
Winters : max. 21° C, min. 2° C;
Average Rainfall : 250 cm;
Monsoons: during June to September.

Best Time to Visit Asan Barrage
Winters might be the most exciting season for the bird lovers, but for the serious birdwatcher the other months of the year (early May to September end) offer just as exciting opportunities to see local migrants like painted stork, open billed stork, night heron. A flock of 25- 40 painted storks can be seen in these months every year.