Bhavanisagar dam

Bhavanisagar Dam

Bhavanisagar Dam and Reservoir
Official name Bhavanisagar Anaicut
Location Bhavanisagar, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates 11°28′15″N 77°6′50″E / 11.47083°N 77.11389°E / 11.47083; 77.11389Coordinates: 11°28′15″N 77°6′50″E / 11.47083°N 77.11389°E / 11.47083; 77.11389
Purpose irrigation, power
Status open
Construction began 1948
Opening date 1955
Construction cost ₹210 million (US$3.1 million)
Owner(s) Government of Tamil Nadu
Operator(s) Government of Tamil Nadu
Dam and spillways
Type of dam earthen
Impounds Bhavani river
Height (foundation) 40 m (130 ft)
Height (thalweg) 120 ft (37 m)
Length 8 km (5.0 mi)
Reservoir
Creates Bhavanisagar
Total capacity 32.8×10^9 cu ft (930×10^6 m3)
Power station
Turbines 2
Installed capacity 32 MW (43,000 hp)
Source[1]

Bhavanisagar Dam or Lower Bhavani Dam, is located in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India.[2] The dam is constructed on Bhavani river and is one of the largest earthen dams in the world.[1] The dam is situated some 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Sathyamangalam, is 35 km (22 mi) from Gobichettipalayam and is 36 km (22 mi) north-east to Mettupalayam.[3]

History

The Lower Bhavani Project was the first major irrigation project initiated in India after independence in 1948. It was completed by 1955 and opened for use in 1956.[1] The dam was constructed at a cost of ₹210 million (US$3.1 million).[1]

Dimensions

The dam is 8 km (5.0 mi) long and 40 m (130 ft) high. The full reservoir level is 120 ft (37 m) and the dam has a capacity of 32.8×10^9 cu ft (930×10^6 m3).[1]

Hydrography

Bhavanisagar dam is constructed on Bhavani River. The dam receives water from two main catchment areas in the Western Ghats. The water is fed into the Bhavani river known as Upper Bhavani. The eastern catchment area includes the Upper Bhavani, Avalanche and Emerald lakes, Kundha, Gedhai, Pillur and Nellithurai . The western catchment area includes Portimund, Parson’s valley, Pykara, Glenmorgan, Chinkara, Maravakandy, Moyar and Thengumarahatta.[1] The dam is fed by both Southwest and Northeast monsoons.[1]

The dam feeds water to two canals, Lower Bhavani Project Canal and Kalingarayan canal.[4][5] The main canal feeds Thadapalli and Arakkankottai ch The LBP canal feeds the Thadapalli and Arakankottai channels.[6]

Canal Ayacut area
Lower Bhavani Project Canal 103 thousand acres (420 km2)
Kalingarayan canal 15.743 thousand acres (63.71 km2)
Thadapalli and Arakankottai 24.504 thousand acres (99.16 km2)

Power generation

The dam has two hydel power stations, one on the east bank canal and the other on the Bhavani river. Each has a capacity of 16 megawatts (21,000 hp) for a total capacity of 32 megawatts (43,000 hp).[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Uniqueness of Bhavanisagar dam" (PDF). CSTI. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Tourist Information for Erode district". Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Bhavanisagar dam" (PDF). TNAU. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Breach in LBP Canal plugged". The Hindu. 27 November 2008.
  5. ↑ "Large Scale Irrigation Systems". FAO. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Bhavani Sagar dam: farmers raise apprehension on water position". The Hindu. 26 October 2010.
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