Tehri Lake was created when the Tehri Dam — one of the tallest dams in the world at 260 metres — was completed across the Bhagirathi River in 2006, flooding the valley and the historic town of Tehri. The resulting reservoir is about 42 sq km in area and holds water sports facilities that have made it a destination in its own right.
The lake offers jet skiing, kayaking, banana boat rides, and bungee jumping from the dam structure itself. A cable car crosses the reservoir from New Tehri, and boat rides allow exploration of the reservoir's further reaches. The surrounding mountains — visible on clear days rising steeply from the water — give the lake a dramatic high-Himalayan backdrop.
New Tehri, the replacement town built on the ridge above, serves as the administrative centre of the district. It is connected by road to Rishikesh (about 85 km) and can also be reached via the reservoir's cable car link.