Upper Balephi-A Hydroelectric project is located in Sindhupalchowk District of Bagmati Zone in the central Region of Nepal. The project site is located at about 90 km northeast of Kathmandu. The headworks site is located at about 8 Km north of Kartike and the powerhouse site is located near Baikunthe village just upstream of the existing suspension bridge over the Balephi River at Kartike near its confluence with Lapse khola. Most of the components of the project are located at the right bank of the river within Golche Village Development Committee. Geographically, the project area is located in between the longitudes 85º47’40”E and latitude 27º57’00”N (at Headworks site) and 85º45’30”E and 27º 53’45”N (at Powerhouse site). Physiographically, the project area belongs to the Higher Himalayan zone. The elevation range within the river valley from powerhouse to headworks is 1044 and 1252m above mean sea level (amsl), respectively.
Balephi River is a tributary of Sunkoshi River originating from Phurbochyachu Himal. Its catchment is bordered by Phurbochyachu Himal range in the north, Indrawati khola and Langtang khola basins in the west, Bhotekoshi Basin in the east and Sunkoshi river basin in the south.
Balephi khola extends from the Lesser Himalaya having elevation approximately 650m amsl at its confluence with Sunkoshi River near Balephi bridge along Araniko Highway to maximum elevation of approximately 6966m amsl at the Jugal Himal in the Phurbochyachu Himalayan range.
The Upper Balephi-A Hydroelectric Project is a run of the river scheme designed to diverts 21.3m3 flow from Balephi Khola by approx. 45m long concrete gravity type Diversion Weir with side Intake and then to the Desanding Basin. Then after about 4235m long inverted D shape 3.90m diameter headrace tunnel will connect the water way to the Surge Shaft having finished diameter of 8m. To the downstream of the surge shaft, partly surface and partly underground penstock pipe transport the water to the powerhouse located on right bank of Balephi Khola. Finally the water will be diverted to the Balephi Khola again through a cut and cover type Tailrace Conduit. The Gross head of the project is 203m.
