Bhavanisagar Dam
Dam in Tamil Nadu, India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bhavanisagar Dam or Lower Bhavani Dam, is located in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India.[2] The dam is constructed on the Bhavani river.[1] It is one of the world's largest earthen dams. Thyagi M.A. Eswaran, the Erode MLA was instrumental in bringing the Bhavanisagar Dam Project. M. A. Eswaran, was born to Muthukaruppan Pillai and Venkatalakshmi on 25 October 1895 at Karungalpalayam in Erode. The first major irrigation project executed in Tamil Nadu after Independence, it turned Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur districts into a fertile landscape, irrigating 2,47,247 acres for the cultivation of paddy and other crops, besides generating 18 MW through two power generation houses. M.A.Eswaran was unanimously elected as MLA for Erode area in the Madras Provincial Assembly in 1946. Apart from his contribution to the freedom struggle, he worked for the implementation of the Lower Bhavani Project. Until his death in 22.05.1978, he sacrificed his entire life for the welfare of the people. The dam is situated some 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Sathyamangalam, is 17 km (11 mi) North of Punjai Puliampatti, is 35 km (22 mi) from Gobichettipalayam and is 36 km (22 mi) north-east to Mettupalayam.[3]
| Bhavanisagar Dam | |
|---|---|
 Bhavanisagar Dam and Reservoir | |
| Official name | Keel Bhavani Anai |
| Location | Bhavanisagar, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Coordinates | 11°28′15″N 77°6′50″E |
| Purpose | irrigation, power |
| Status | open |
| Construction began | 1948 |
| Opening date | 1955 |
| Construction cost | ₹210 million (US$2.4 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 Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 32.8×109 cu ft (930×106 m3) |
| Turbines | Lower Bhavani -1 4x2 MW = 8 MW; Lower Bhavani RBC (Right Bank Cannel) = 2x4 MW = 8 MW |
| Installed capacity | 16 MW (21,000 hp) |
| Source[1] | |
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$2.4 million).[1]
Dimensions
The dam is 8 km (5.0 mi) long by 40 m (130 ft) high. The full reservoir level is 120 ft (37 m) and the dam has a capacity of 32.8×109 cu ft (930×106 m3).[1]
Hydrography
Bhavanisagar dam is constructed on the 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, Singara, Maravakandy, Moyar and Thengumarahada.[1] The dam is fed by both Southwest and Northeast monsoons.[1]
The dam feeds water into two canals, Lower Bhavani Project Canal and Kalingarayan Canal.[4][5] The Kalingarayan canal feeds Thadapalli and Arakkankottai channels and 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 hydroelectric power stations, one on the east bank canal and the other on the Bhavani river. Each has a capacity of 8 megawatts (11,000 hp) for a total capacity of 16 megawatts (21,000 hp).[1]
See also
References
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