The state of undivided Uttar Pradesh had set up the office of the Chief Engineer Yamuna Valley Projects at Dehradun under U.P. Irrigation Department some time around 1960 for construction of Yamuna Valley Projects.

During 1970 another chiefship of Tehri Dam Project under Irrigation Department was set up at Dehradun. Subsequently other wing of Investigation and Planning was added for investigation of various Hydro electric projects in Ganga and Yamuna Valley.

During 1975, Irrigation Design organisation was opened at Roorkee and subsequently Irrigation Research Institute at Roorkee was also extended in different fields of research and testing units. The Department was already having well equipped Roorkee workshop for fabrication and erection of Hydro mechanical parts for Hydro electric projects.

In the meantime post of Chief Engineer Ganga Valley Projects was created for construction of Maneri-Bhali project. During 1981, Irrigation Department was further strengthened and the post of Chief Engineer (Multipurpose and Hydroelectric projects) of the status of Chief engineer level-I was created. During 1995, the running canals were added to the jurisdiction of Chief Engineer (MHP) and it was renamed as Chief Engineer (Uttarakhand).

After formation of the new state of Uttarakhand, it is now known as Chief Engineer (Uttarakhand). Thus, from the initial stage Irrigation Department was engaged in the planning and execution of the Hydro Electric Projects in Uttarakhand.