Water, Reservoir & Wetlands

The Udawalawe Reservoir is basically the lifeblood of the national park, making this crucial wetland system that keeps thousands of animals going. It covers more than 3,400 hectares when it is at full capacity, and it stays as a real permanent oasis in that arid dry zone.

Also, beyond the main reservoir, the park holds a loose network of seasonal streamlets, smaller waterholes, and marshy wetlands. These places matter a lot for the park’s biodiversity; they help fish breed, they are hunting grounds for crocodiles and water birds, and they are the main bathing areas for the resident elephant herds.