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NEYYAR DAM
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Location: Neyyar is a dam in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, South India, located on the foot of the Western Ghats about 32 km East of Thiruvananthapuram. Neyyar dam is included in the province of Kallikkad Panchayath of Neyyattinkara Taluk.
Height(m): 56.8
Length(m): 294.83
Impounds: Neyyar River. One canal of Neyyar flows to western districts of Tamil Nadu.The main river Neyyar flows across Kallikkadu, Aryancode, Marayamuttom, Neyyattinkara, Ottasekharamangalam, Kezaroor and Poovar and finally debouches Arabian Sea. It was established in 1958
Significance: Kallikkadu panchayath has more cultural and historic heritages. The Travancore King Marthanda Varma's footprints are here. It is a popular picnic spot with southern low hills of Western Ghats in its background. The peak Agasthya kooodam is very near to Neyyar dam. The Neyyar dam has adjacent sanctuary which is a home for wild life including gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat and Nilgiri langur, wild elephants and sambar deer. The prime attractions at the Neyyar dam are the adjacent Lion safari park, Crocodile Farm, Deer park, Miniature wild life sanctuary and Lake garden. There is a swimming pool within the limits. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir. The watch tower offers a panoramic view of the river and the reservoir.
Purpose: The dam was built for irrigation purposes.
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THENMALA (PARAPPAR) DAM
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Location: It is located in Quilon district of Kerala
Height(m): 85.35
Length(m):335
Impounds: Kallada River
Significance: Dam is a centre of attraction at Thenmala - an ecotourism destination. Built under the Kallada Irrigation and Tree Crop development project, it is the second largest irrigation project in Kerala (India). The dam impounds the longest reservoir in the State. Waters from the reservoir is now used for power generation also. It is a pleasant experience to sail through the reservoir which is the longest in the State. The trees of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary line up on both sides of the reservoir. It is now a centre of attraction at Thenmala and an ecotourism destination, with boating available on the reservoir, which is bordered on both sides by the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.
Purpose: Irrigation is the main way of utilization of dam water. It also supports the power generation.
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IDUKKI DAM
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Location: Located in Idukki district in kerala. The dam stands between the two mountains - Kuravanmala (839 feet) and Kurathimala (925 feet).
Height(m): 169
Length(m):366
Impounds: Periyar river.
The construction of the dam was commenced on April 30 1969 and the inauguration of the run of first machine was on 4th October 1975.
Significance: This is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. The dam rises to an elevation of 167.68 meters and is one of the highest arch dams in Asia, at 555 feet in height. It was constructed and owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. Construction of this arch dam and two other dams at Cheruthony and Kulamavu has created an artificial lake of 60 Sq.Km width. Idukki Wild Life Sanctuary is near to the dam.
Purpose: The water stored in the lake created by the dams is utilized for production of electricity at Moolamattom Power House which is located in rocky caves. The regulated waters of Periyar falls through a drop of about 669.2 metres (2195 feet) generating power in the underground power house. The tail waters flowing to Kudayathurpuzha through tunnel and open channel will later be diverted for irrigation purposes in the Muvattupuzha Valley.
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KUNDALA DAM
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Location: It lies in Kundala town 20Km away from Munnar.
Height(m): 46.94
Length(m):259
Significance: Kundala dam is relatively a small dam having curved shape. A narrow road on the top of the dam offers a panoramic view of the catchment area of the Kundala dam. The reservoir adjoined to the dam has boating facilities.Kundala lake and Aruvikkad waterfall are the nearby attractions of this tourist spot.
Purpose: The dam benifits the Kundala town by providing water for irrigation
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MATTUPETTY DAM
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Location: It is situated near Munnar in Idukki District. Munnar is located near the confluence of the mountain streams of Muthirappuzha River, Chanduvarai River and Kundali River.
Height(m): 85.34
Length(m): 237.34
Impounds: Streams of Muthirappuzha river, Chanduvarai river and Kundali river.
Significance: The reservoir is also known to be one of the visiting grounds of elephants of the region.
Purpose: It is a storage masonry dam built in the mountains of Kerala, India to conserve water for hydroelectricity. It has been a vital source of power, yielding along with other such dams, huge revenue to the states. The large amount of perennially available water allows wild animals and birds to flourish. However salinity caused by irrigation and water-logging are of concern to environmentalists.
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MULLAPERIYAR DAM
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Location: It is situated in Idukki district of Kerala
Height(m): 50.29
Length(m): 365.8
Impounds: Periyar River
Significance: The name of Mullaperiyar dam is derived from a portmanteau of Mullayar and Periyar.As the dam is located in the convergence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers, the river was called Mullaperiyar. The Periyar National Park, Thekkady is located close to the park Periyar reservoir. The backwaters of this dam form this park.
Purpose:The water utilization is mainly for irrigation purpose.
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CHALAKUDY DAM
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Location: It is Located 65Km east of Chalakudy town, Thrissur district in Kerala.
Impounds: Chalakudy River
Significance: This dam is also known as Sholayar Dam. The name Chalakudy is taken from the word “Shalakudy” depicting a place where sacrifices were made. The people coming to Sholayar city often visit this dam and Athirappilly water fall which are famous picnic spots. This route is a well known tourist spot where two water theme parks are the main attraction.
Purpose: The water in the dam is mainly utilized for hydroelectric power generation.
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PEECHI DAM
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Location: It is situated in a village 23 km outside Thrissur city in Kerala, India.
Height(m): 41.85
Length(m): 213.3
Impounds: Manali River (Peechi River)
Significance: Peechi is a good picnic spot. The dam is a vast catchment area of nearly 3,200 acres (1,300 ha) with extensive botanical gardens and cascading fountains offer numerous inviting avenues for tourists. Although devoid of visitors on most of the times of the year, the monsoon season often put the place on the tourist map, mainly for the majestic views offered by the open shutters of the fully filled reservoir. This dam project started as an irrigation project, offers boating facilities at the reservoir. Boating is permitted in the reservoir and on lucky days one can see wild tuskers on the forested banks, part of which forms a reserved forest (Peechi Wild Life Sanctuary). This sanctuary is dense with moist deciduous and semi evergreen trees in the catchment area of dam. It is a home for Tigers,Leapords, Wild Dogs, Spotted & Barking Beer, Sambar etc.
Purpose: Peechi dam was constructed primarily to cater the drinking water needs of the population of Thrissur city. In addition it also serves as an irrigation dam, reaching out to the paddy fields in and around Thrissur city.
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VAZHANI DAM
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Location: It is situated 23 km from Thrissur city, Kerala.
Height(m):
Length(m):792.48
Impounds: Vadakkancherry Puzha.
It has a length of 792.48 metres. The project was completed during the year 1962.
Significance: It is one of the biggest clay dams. Vazhani dam and its garden is a splendid spectacular view. It is one of the tourist attraction of Thrissur district.
Purpose: The water is used mainly for irrigation and drinking purposes. The Vazhani dam is an integral source of water for the people of Thrissur district.
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CHULLIYAR DAM
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Location: It is located in Muthalamada panchayath in Palakkad, south India.
Height(m): 30.5
Length(m): 1755
Impounds: Chulliyar river , a tributary of Gayathripuzha.
Significance: It is a charming spot for tourist.The dam offers a superb view of Nelliyampathy hills.
Purpose: The water from the dam is mainly utilized for irrigation
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KANJIRAPUZHA DAM
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Location: It is located in Kanjirapuzha Village 40Km away from Palakkad district in Kerala.
Height(m): 30.78
Length(m): 2127
Impounds: Kanjirapuzha River, a major tributary of the Chaliyar River
Significance: Just beyond the reservoir and surrounded by the hills, is the ever green forest, 'Vettilachola'. During winter season, mist-wrap mountains creates a picturesque landscape which provides a visual treat. Boating facilities are also available here. Three islands in the reservoir with plenty of fish grown by the fisheries department are other attractions here.
Purpose: The main purpose is to support irrigation in the area.
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MALAMPUZHA DAM
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Location: It is located near Palakkad in south India.
Impounds:Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha
Height(m): 38
Length(m): 1848.91
Significance: It is the largest reservoir in Kerala, with the scenic hills of the Western Ghats in the background. The Malampuzha Garden and reservoir have a scenic setting with the forested hills of Western Ghats forming the backdrop, making it one of the foremost tourism centres in the State. It is a combination of a masonry dam with a length of 1,849 metres and an earthen dam with a length of 220 metres. The dam is 6,066 feet high and crosses the Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha, Kerala's second longest river. There is a network of two canal systems that serve the dam's reservoir of 42,090 hectares. The dam project was begun in 1949 and completed in 1955. The total catchments area is 145 square kilometres, while the reservoir has a capacity of 8000 square meters of water. It is also the biggest irrigation project in Kerala with a large network of canal systems.
Purpose: The canal systems serve to irrigate farm land while the reservoir provides drinking water to Palakkad and surrounding villages. Malampuzha Dam has brought prosperity to the district, making Palakkad the `rice bowl of Kerala'. Paddy is cultivated in 50,000 acres (200 km2) in two seasons each using waters from the Malampuzha dam. The water from the dam is also utilized for mini hydroelectric project. The dam was conceived as a multi-purpose project to provide water for irrigation, drinking, industries, power generation, fish farming and water transport
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MANGALAM DAM
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Location: Mangalam dam is in Alathur taluk, 50km away from Palakkad district in Kerala, South India
Height(m): 29.23
Length(m): 1057
Impounds: constructed across the river Cherukunnapuzha which is a tributary of Mangalam river. The dam project consists of the spillway and a network of canal system, completed and opened in 1966.
Significance: The reservoir fringes on the forest area teeming with wildlife like deer, elephants and a variety of birds. The entire area is quite fascinating with beautiful parks, lawns and statues. The dam offers one the sight of lush plantations of rubber, pepper, coffee and tapioca (a tuber).
Purpose: The main use of the dam is to meet the needs of irrigation of various plantations like rubber, pepper, coffee, and tapioca which spread across 3639 hectres length and breadth of the catchment area.
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MEENKARA DAM
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Location: It is about 32 km south-east of Palakkad.
Height(m): 18.9
Length(m): 964
Impounds: Parambikulam River
Significance: Meenkara is a tourist destination located in Palakkad District of Kerala.A garden and a fish farm add beauty to this place.Meenkara is an ideal picnic spot for one day picnickers.Clear& pure mountain River lake is formed in the catchment area of Meenkara Dam. Scenic lake is surrounded by rain forests and mountains in the catchment area of the Meenkara irrigation dam project. The canals are also fed with water from other hydro irrigation dams. Meenkara dam is built in the year 1960 and is one of the dams in Gayathri River dam Projects. The other dam in Gayathri project is Chulliyar dam across river Chulliyar.The project was sanctioned by 1956 and opened for irrigation by 1960 with a network of canal system for an area of 10930 hectors in the Chittur taluk of Palaghat.
Purpose: The water from this dam is mainly used for Irrigation purpose through a large network of canal system spreading out through the whole Palakkad district.
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PARAMBIKULAM DAM
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Location: Parambikulam is located in Udumalaipettai in the Palakkad district in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Parambikulam Dam is located at the extreme end of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Height(m): 73.15
Length(m): 896.12
Impounds: Parambikulam River
Significance: It ranks number one in India as well as in the top ten embankment dams in the world in volume capacity in the year 2000. Per the agreement with Tamil Nadu, Kerala was supposed to receive 7.25 TMC feet of water per year from the Parambikulam Aliyar Project of which the Parambikulam Dam is a part. In 2004, Kerala did not receive any water after February 10, resulting in the drying up of paddy in thousands of acres in Chittur taluk. Since this agreement has still not been met as of July 2006, Kerala Water Resources Minister has called for a review of the project agreement. The Parambikulam Aliyar Project starts from Parambikulam Dam. It is connected to the Aliyar Dam through a series of canals and underground tunnels which connect each one of the dams in the sanctuary. The surrounding areas are excellent for bird-watching.
Purpose: The main utilization of water is for irrigation purpose.
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POTHUNDI DAM
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Location: The dam is located in Chittur taluk, about and 42 km from Palakkad; around 17 km away from Nelliampathi, and 8 km from Nemmara.
Height(m): 32.61
Length(m): 1680
Impounds: Pothundi is the oldest dams of State of Kerala which was constructed in the 19th century. .
Significance: It is the second dam in Asia constructed without using cement mixture. The dam is unusual in being constructed without a conventional concrete core, which is employed in most earth dams to counteract the force exerted by high water pressure. The core is, instead, an unusual mixture of jaggery and quick lime. The strength of the Pothundy dam is one of the wonders for the present technology. The Pothundy dam is a nice site for tourists, covered with mountains.The well known Nemmara Vallengi Vela festival is organised in the banks of this dam where people visit in large number.
Purpose: The Pothundi dam was constructed with a main aim of providing water for irrigation to Pallakad district in Kerala. The dam is one of the major water sources for agricultural and drinking in the chittur taluk.
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SIRUVANI DAM
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Location: It is Located 65Km east of Chalakudy town, Thrissur district in Kerala.
Height(m):
Length(m): 224
Impounds: Siruvani River
Significance: The water of Siruvani river is known for its tasty water,and it is typically known to be the second sweetest lake water in the world. It is one of the main water source of Coimbatore city. The Panoramic View of the dam and the falls is enchanting with beauty. Sadivayal Checkpost is the gateway to the waterfalls. It is enclosed with lush green trees and beautiful rivulets of waters flowing all around.
Purpose: It is the main source of water for domestic purpose for the inhabitans of Coimbatore
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WALAYAR DAM
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Location: It is located about 15Km away from Palakkad district of Kerala, south India.
Height(m): 30.48
Length(m): 1478
Impounds: Walayar River which is a tributary of Kalpathipuzha River. It was completed and opened in 1964.
Significance: The dam site is perfect for site seeing as Loknayak J P Smrithivanam and Deer park is closeby.
Purpose: It is one of the major sources of irrigation in the region. Most of the water in this river is passed to the inner places of Walayar. The dam holds a larger reservoir area , and the persons living near the reservoir area utilizes the water from the walayar dam as their main water source . But currently the water holding inside the reservoir is less due to lesser rain at walayar. Several industries like Malabar Cements depend on this dam for daily water requirement.
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BANASURA SAGAR DAM
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Location: The Banasura Sagar Dam is located 21 km from Kalpetta, in Wayanad District of Kerala in the Western Ghats.
Height(m):
Length(m):
Impounds: Karamanathodu tributary of the Kabini River, is part of the Indian Banasurasagar Project consisting of a dam and a canal project started in 1979.
Significance: It is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia and an ideal starting point for hikes into the surrounding scenic mountains. It is an important tourist attraction.In the dam's reservoir there is a set of islands that were formed when the reservoir submerged the surrounding areas.The islands with the Banasura hills in the background provide a spectacular view.
Purpose: The goal of the project is to support the Kakkayam Hydro electric power project and satisfy the demand for irrigation and drinking water in a region known to have water shortages in seasonal dry periods.
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⇔National Register of Large Dams⇔
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