Bargi Dam, about 30 km north of Jabalpur, creates a large reservoir on the Narmada River that stretches for nearly 75 km upstream. The dam itself is one of the earliest major projects on the Narmada and is now primarily used for water supply to Jabalpur and some power generation.
The reservoir offers boating and bird-watching, and the shoreline around it is relatively wild — forest patches, agricultural land, and the occasional fishing community on the margins. A holiday resort area has grown up on the northern shore. For travellers who have covered the city's main sights and want a half-day in more open country, Bargi is a straightforward trip by hired vehicle. The bird life around the reservoir is best in the winter months when migratory species arrive.