What is Dam??
Dams are structures built across rivers and streams to control or store water flow. Dams are built mainly for irrigation and power generation. There are various types of dams such as concrete dam, clay dam and rock dam. In Idukki district, dams are mainly constructed for hydropower projects. Let us see what are the important dams in Idukki district.
Important dams in Idukki district.
1.Idukki Arch Dam.
Idukki dam is located in Vazhathoppu panchayat at Idukki district of Kerala, India. It is the first arch dam in Asia. catchment area of the dam is 60 square kilometers. This dam is built for power generation. KSEB has full control of the dam. Construction of the dam began in April 1969. February 1973 Construction of the dam is completed. Idukki Dam also has the distinction of being a dam without spillways. Idukki Dam is 168.91 m high and 365.25 m long. total storage capacity is 1,996,300,000 cubic metres.
normal elevation of the dam is 732.62 m (2,404 ft). Idukki Hydropower Project generates 780 MW of electricity using 6 turbines of 130 MW. Annual production 2398 MU. 3 turbines were commissioned in 1976 and 3 in 1986. The dam was commissioned in 1975. Another feature of the dam is that three dams, Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu, have been constructed to store water for power generation.
2.Cheruthoni Dam
Cheruthoni Dam is one of the three dams constructed across the Periyar River as part of the Idukki Hydroelectric Project at Cheruthoni in Vazhathoppu Grama Panchayat, Idukki District, Kerala. Other dams are Idukki and Kulamavu. Water storage limit is around 60 km. This is a load-bearing dam. Cheruthoni Dam is the third tallest dam in India. Located at an elevation of about 2,400 ft above sea level. This dam was built by the Hindustan Construction Company. The project with a capacity of 780 MW is located at Moolamattom. Moolamattom Power House, located at a height of 750 m above the Nadukani Hills, is the largest in India.
Cheruthoni Dam was completed in 1976. Dam is owned by KSEB and the Government of Kerala. This is a concrete dam. These Dam has 7 spillways. total storage capacity of the dam is 55.5 km. Cheruthoni Dam is 138.2 m high and 650.9 m long. The catchment area of the dam is 251 sq mi. The surface area of the dam is 23 Sq mi. Reservoir formed by the addition of Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu dams in the reservoir will discharge the excess water through the Cheruthoni dam as the volume of water increases. The shutters of The Cheruthoni Dam were opened four times this year. For the first time, the Cheruthoni Dam is opened four times a year. Dam is open for visitors from August to March. Boating facilities from Cheruthoni to Kulamavu during this period.
3.Kulamavu Dam
Kulamavu dam is a gravity dam on kilivillithodu. Dam is located in Arakkulam Grama Panchayat, Idukki district in the state of Kerala, India. Dam is located on the southern side of the Idukki Dam. This dam is also built for power generation. The main road from Thodupuzha to Idukki is over this dam. It is a 60 sq km reservoir. Although the maximum storage capacity is 74.5 million cubic feet, it can store up to 70.5 million cubic feet. The forest area associated with this dam is known as Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary.
Construction of the dam began in April 1969. Construction of the dam was completed in February 1977. Dam is owned by KSEB and the Government of Kerala. Kulamavu Dam is 100 meters high and 385 meters long. Dam was commissioned in 1975. The surface area of the dam is 60 km. Dam situated on the Thodupuzha- Puliyanmala State Highway ( SH.33). About 23 km from Idukki arch dam and from cheruthoni 22 km.
Mullaperiyar Dam is located in Idukki district in the state of Kerala, India. This dam is situated in the Kumily Grama Panchayat of Peermede Taluk. It is located 881 metre above the sea level. Mullayar Periyar is a tributary of the Sivagiri Hills on the Tamil Nadu border. Mullaperiyar dam is built across the Mullayar River. Thekkady Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located around the reservoir of the dam. The water collected from the Mullaperiyar Dam is used by the people of Tamil Nadu for irrigation and hydropower. The water is mainly transported to Tamil Nadu from the dam through penstock pipes. Penstock supplies water from the Mullaperiyar to the Vaigai Dam in Tamil Nadu.
Mullaperiyar dam is a Masonry gravity dam. Construction began in 1887. Construction was completed in 1895. Architect of the mullaperiyar dam is John pennycuick. It is also one of the oldest dams in Kerala. Operating license of the dam is for Tamil Nadu. This dam is 53.66 m high and 365.85 m long. Dam has 13 spillways. Total storage capacity is 359.332 acres. Ft. The total depth of the water is 142 Ft (43281 m).
Commission year phase 1 1958
Phase 2 1959
phase 3 1959
Phase 4 1965
This dam has long been the subject of dispute between the two states. Tamil Nadu had demanded an increase in the water level but the Kerala government had rejected the demand, saying the move would affect dam safety. Debates in both states are still pending in the Supreme Court.
5.Lower Periyar Dam
Lower Periyar Dam is located in Kanjikuzhi Panchayath in Idukki District of Kerala. This dam on the Periyar River is part of the Lower Periyar Hydroelectric Project. Also known as pambla dam. This dam is built mainly for power generation. The construction of the dam was completed in 1996. Operating license of the dam is also with KSEB and Government of Kerala. This dam is 41 meters high and 284 meters long. Dam has 7 spillways. Total storage capacity is 190,000,000 Cu Ft. Surface area 0.445 hectares. Dam was commissioned in 1961.
Lower Periyar Powerhouse at Karimanal generates electricity using the water from the dam. maximum storage capacity of the dam is 253 Ft. Hydroelectric Project, which generates 180 MW of electricity using 3 turbines with a capacity of 60 MW, was launched on September 27, 1997. KSEB is overseeing the dam. 1997 The first unit of the first dam and the last unit at the end of the year completed the construction and started production. Annual production is 493 MU.
6.Ponmudi Dam
Ponmudi Dam is located in the Konnathadi panchayat of Idukki district in the state of Kerala, India. This dam built across the Panniyar River, a tributary of the Periyar. The Adimali - Rajakadu road is above the dam. Ponmudi Dam is 294 m long and 59 m high. This dam was built in 1963 for power generation. The operating license of the dam is with KSEB and the Government of Kerala. Dam has 3 spillways. total storage capacity is 51540,000 cubic meters. Surface area 278.9 hectares. Ponmudi dam was commissioned in 1964.
water from the dam will flow through a 3,066 meter long tunnel and reach the Panniyar Power Station through 2 penstock pipes. It produces 30 megawatts of electricity using two turbines of 15 megawatts each. KSEB's Hydro Electric Project was launched on January 26, 1964.Annual production is 158 MU. In 2003, the project was upgraded from 30 MW to 32.4 MW. In a major disaster on September 17, 2007, one of the penstock valves exploded, killing seven people, destroying 15 homes and damaging 150 acres of farmland. Damaged valves were rebuilt in 2009.
7.Malankara Dam
Malankara Dam is located in Muttam Grama Panchayat near Thodupuzha in Idukki district of Kerala. This is a small dam built across the Thodupuzha river. Dam was constructed as part of the Muvattupuzha Irrigation Project. After generating electricity from the Moolamattom powerhouse, the discharged water is diverted and used for irrigation, agriculture and power generation. Malankara dam was completed in 1994. Operating license of the dam is also with KSEB and Government of Kerala. This dam is 21 m high and 460 m long. Catchment area of the dam is 153.5 square kilometers. Malankara Dam has 6 spillways. Malankara dam was commissioned in 2005.
Ilaveezhapoonchira Tourist destination is located near the Malankara Dam. Malankara Power House generates 10.5 MW of electricity using 3.5 MW 3 turbines. KSEB's Hydro Electric Project was launched on October 6, 2005. Annual production is 44 MU.
8.Anayirankal Dam
Anayirankal Dam is located in Chinnakanal, Santhanpara Panchayath, 22 km from Munnar in Idukki District of Kerala. Anayirankal dam built on the Panniyar river. This dam is surrounded on one side by forest and on the other by Tata's tea plantation. The dam is located near the Kumily - Munnar road. The water flowing from the dam reaches Kuthungal and Ponmudi dams through the Panniyar river. Kuthungal and Panniyar Power House generate electricity. reservoir is usually full in the month of June - July. These dam collects water from small streams and rainwater from the hills on the Tamil Nadu border. The dam was built mainly for power generation. The dam was completed in 1965. The operating license of the dam is with KSEB and the Government of Kerala.
Anayirankal dam is 34.13 m high and 261.69 m long The total storage capacity of the dam is 49840,000 cubic meters. dam was commissioned in 1964. Panniyar Power House in Konnathadi Grama Panchayat generates 30 MW of electricity using two 15 MW turbines. KSEB's Hydro Electric Project was launched on January 26, 1964. Annual production is 158 MU. In 2003, the project was upgraded from 30 MV to 32.4 MV. Matikettan Chola National Park is located nearby.
9.Munnar headworks Dam
Munnar headworks dam is located near Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala. This dam is built on the Muthirapuzha river, a tributary of the Periyar. Also known as Sir CP Ramaswamy Iyer Headworks dam. Dam controls the flow of water from the Kundala Mattupetty Dam to the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project.
Munnar Headworks Dam is built across the river as well as a non-catchment dam. This dam was built for power generation. construction of the dam was completed in 1944. The operating license of the dam is KSEB.
10.Kundala Dam
Kundala dam is located in Devikulam Panchayath in Idukki District of Kerala. Dam is located on the Muthirapuzha river, a tributary of the Periyar, at Kundala on the Munnar top station route. Kundala Dam is built as part of the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project. Kundala dam was built to generate electricity. Construction of the dam was completed in 1947. Operational license of the dam is with the Government of Kerala and KSEB. This dam is 46.94 m high and 259 m long. Kundala Dam has 5 spillways. Surface area is 0.465 hectares. total storage capacity is 7.790,000 cubic meters.
Kundala Dam is located at a distance of about 20 km from Munnar on the way to Top Station. Kundala Dam is located at a distance of 25 km from Munnar town. Sethu Parvati Dam is another name for the Kundala Dam. foundation stone of this dam was laid in 1945 by Queen Sethulakshmi Parvati of Travancore. Hence the name Sethuparvati dam. Dam was commissioned in 1942.
Commission date 1942 phase 1
1951 phase 2
Pampadumchola National Park, Kurinjimalai Sanctuary and Meesappulimalai are some of the tourist attractions located nearby. The plant was commissioned on February 10, 1942 to generate 13.5 MW of power using 45 MV 3 turbines. On March 7, 1951, three more turbines of 7.5 MW were commissioned. In 2001, this project was upgraded from 36 mega wards to 37.5 MV. At present the annual production is 158 MU.
11.Chenkulam Dam
Chenkulam Dam is located in Vellathooval panchayat in Idukki district of Kerala. This dam is located at Muthuwankudi in Vellathooval Panchayath across the Anachal River, a tributary of the Muthirapuzha River. This dam is built entirely for power generation. Dam construction was completed in 1957. operating license of the dam is with KSEB and the Government of Kerala. It also has a 48 MW power plant. Chenkulam Dam is 144.50 m long and 27 m high. total storage capacity is 710,000 cubic meters. catchment area of the dam is 5.18 Sq. Is Km.
Electricity is generated here. Water released from the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project is channeled through a tunnel. Thus, the water collected here generates 48 MW of electricity using 12 MW 4 turbines delivered to the Chenkulam Power House through a penstock pipe. The project was launched in 1955. In 2002, the project was upgraded from 48 MV to 51.2 MV. The current annual production is 182 MU.
12.Kallarkutty Dam
Kallarkutty dam is located in Vellathooval panchayat at Idukki district of Kerala. Muthirapuzha river is a tributary of the Periyar River, which is part of the Neryamangalam Hydroelectric Project at Kallarkutty. dam was commissioned in 1961. In 1962 Construction of the dam completed. This dam is built for power generation. It has a surface area of 0.648 hectores. Kallarkutty Dam is 43 m high and 182.88 m long. total storage capacity is 6,880,000 cubic meters. Dam has 5 spillways.
The Adimali - Rajakadu road passes through a bridge built in the middle of the reservoir. Neryamangalam Power House near Panamkutty above the Lower Periyar Dam is used to generate electricity by blocking the discharge of water from the Chenkulam Dam and the Muthirapuzha River. The project was launched on January 27, 1961 to generate 45 MW of electricity using three turbines with a capacity of 15 MW. In 2006, the project was upgraded from 45 MW to 52.65 MV. The current annual production is 237 MU. In May 2008, a 25 MW Neryamangalam extension project was launched. The annual production of this project is 58.27 MU.
13.Mattupetty Dam
Mattupetty Dam is located in the village of Chithirapuram in Mattupetty, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District, Kerala. Dam is built on the Muthirapuzha river, a tributary of the Periyar. It is a concrete gravity dam built for power generation. It is the first concrete gravity dam in India. 1954 Construction of the dam completed. A valve has been installed at the bottom to drain the sludge from the dam. 1998 A small project called Mattupetty Power Station with a turbine of two megawatts was commissioned below the dam. Its annual production is 6.4 MU. Mattupetty Dam is located at a distance of 13 km from Munnar.
It is also an important tourist destination of Munnar. Height of the dam is 83.35 meter and the length is 237.74 meter. Operators of the dam is the Government of Kerala. Total capacity of the dam is 55.4 million cubic meters. Catchment area of the dam is 105 square kilometers. Surface area is 323.75 hectares.
14.Vellathooval Dam
15.Erattayar Dam
Erattayar Dam is located in Erattayar Grama Panchayat in Idukki district of Kerala. The Erattayar Dam and its environs are an important sight on the Kattappana-Murikkassery road. It act as mainly a diversion dam to supply water to the Idukki arch dam. Diversion of water from Erattayar to Idukki reservoir is through a tunnel called Anchuruli tunnel. Construction of the dam was completed in 1989.
It is a small dam measuring only 46.3 meter in length and 19.81 meter in height. Irattayar Dam is a lake with a lot of fisheries. On the way to the dam, you can see many people fishing with bait.