Cheruthoni Dam
| Cheruthoni Dam | |
|---|---|
 Cheruthoni dam | |
  Location of Cheruthoni Dam in India Kerala | |
| Country | India |
| Location | Idukki, Kerala, India |
| Coordinates | 9°50′43″N 76°58′01″E / 9.84528°N 76.96694°ECoordinates: 9°50′43″N 76°58′01″E / 9.84528°N 76.96694°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1976 |
| Owner(s) | Kerala State Electricity Board |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Straight gravity concrete |
| Impounds | Periyar River |
| Height | 138.2 m (453 ft) |
| Length | 650.9 m (2,135 ft) |
| Dam volume | 17,00,000 cu.m |
| Spillways | 5 no.s |
| Spillway type | Chute type spillway |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Idukki Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 1,996,000,000 m3 (1,618,184 acre·ft) |
| Active capacity | 1,459,000,000 m3 (1,182,831 acre·ft) |
| Inactive capacity | 536,000,000 m3 (434,542 acre·ft) |
| Catchment area | 649.3 km2 (251 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 60 km2 (23 sq mi) |
| Normal elevation | 732.62 m (2,404 ft) |
The Cheruthoni Dam, located in Idukki District, Kerala, India, is a 138m tall concrete gravity dam. This dam was constructed as part of the Idukki Hydroelectric Project along with two other dams at Idukki and Kulamavu. The project was completed with Canadian aid. The Government of Canada aided the Project with long term loans and grants. S.N.C.Inc., Canada, a firm of Consulting Engineers were advising and assisting Project Engineers under the Canadian Aid.[1][2]
The water impounded by these three dams of Idukki, Cheruthoni & Kulamavu has formed a single reservoir spread over 60 km on a height of 2300 ft above Mean Sea Level.[3] The Idukki Dam is a double curvature arch dam constructed across Periyar River in a narrow gorge between two granite hills. Cheruthoni Dam is located 1 km west of Idukki dam. The spill way of the Idukki Reservoir is in the Cheruthony dam. Kulamavu Dam was constructed to prevent the water escape through a rivulet called Kalivally, 30 km west to Idukki Arch Dam. It is a 100 metres tall Masonry gravity dam. Construction of this Cheruthoni Dam, Idukki Arch Dam and Kulamavu Dam created an artificial lake of 60 km2 and the water stored, is used for production of electricity at the Moolamattom Power house. The power house at Moolamattom is the biggest underground power station in India and the pressure shaft is the largest in the country. Cheruthony is the largest and highest gravity dam in Kerala.[4] Storage of water in Idukki Reservoir started in February, 1973. Moolamattom Power Station was Commissioned in February 1976 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
