Aliyar Amaravathy Anaikuttam Anaimaduvu Bhavani Chinnar Chittar - 1 Chittar - 2 Eachampadi Gatananadhi Golwarpatti Gomukhinadhi Gundar Gunderipallam Kariakoil

Karuppanadhi Kaveri Kelavarapalli Kesarikule Kodaganaar Kovilaar Krishnagiri Kullursandai Gunderipallam Kuthirayaar

LIST OF DAMS IN TAMIL NADU Lower Nirar Ramanadhi Manimukthanadhi Sathanur Manimuthaar Sholayaar Manjalaar Sidhamalli Marudhanadhi Soolagiri Chinnaar Mettur Sothupaarai Mordhana Thambahalli Mullai Idukki Tirukkoyilur Nagavathi Tirumurthy Nambiaar Thoppiaar Niraaru Thoonakadavu Noyyal Orathupalayam Uppar (Erode) Palaar Uppar (Tiruchi) Palar Porandalaar Upper Niraar Pambaar Vaigai Parambikulam Vaaniaar Parappalaar Varadamanadhi Pechippaarai Varattupallam Perumpallam Vattamalaikarai Perunchaani Veedur Peruvaripallam Vembakottai Pilavukkal Wellingdon Poigaiyaar Ramanadhi Ponnaniaar Sathanur Rajathoppu Sholayaar

Ramanadhi Sathanur Sholayaar Sidhamalli Soolagiri Chinnaar Sothupaarai Thambahalli Tirukkoyilur Tirumurthy Thoppiaar Thoonakadavu Uppar (Erode) Uppar (Tiruchi) Upper Niraar Vaigai Vaaniaar Varadamanadhi Varattupallam Vattamalaikarai Veedur Vembakottai Wellingdon Ramanadhi Sathanur Sholayaar

Dams in Tamil Nadu Dams in Tamil Nadu are known for their multipurpose usability in the field of irrigation, production of hydroelectricity, fisheries, drinking water, etc. Tamil Nadu are erected mainly with the aim of providing sufficient water for the agricultural lands and also for the generation of hydroelectric power. Most of the rivers flowing in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu are evenly dammed in such a way that no district of the state runs short of the basic water requirements. There are several dams in Tamil Nadu which contribute immensely in boosting the agricultural economy of the state. The locations of the dams also serve as some of the major tourist attractions with several reservoirs acting as fish breeding centres in the state.

Aliyar Reservoir The most prominent among the dams and reservoirs is the Aliyar reservoir which was constructed across the River Aliyar. This dam was built chiefly to cater to the irrigational requirements of the close by areas. It is situated close to Pollachi in the Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. This dam is located on the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats. The Aliyar Dam was built between the years, 1959 to 1969. Presently, the discharges of this dam are being let down through three sets of canals; the Vettaikaranpudur Canal, the Pollachi Canal and the river sluices. The Aliyar reservoir project being a micro Hydel scheme is backed financially by the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources of the Government of India. Bhavanisagar Reservoir The Bhavani River creates the Bhavanisagar Reservoir in the Bhavanisagar district in Tamil Nadu. The Bhavanisagar Dam is situated in between the Sathyamangalam and the Mettupalayam in the district of Erode in Tamil Nadu. The height of this reservoir is around 32 meters and the capacity of the reservoir is around 32.8 TMC. Chittar Reservoir Another major reservoir of the state of Tamil Nadu is the Chittar Reservoir. This reservoir is constructed on the River Chittar. This reservoir of Tamil Nadu state is one of the major sources of water for irrigation for the surrounding areas. The Chittar reservoir has become one of the most favourable tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu. This reservoir in the Bhavanisagar district provides water for the irrigation of about 8,903.27 hectares of land. Kodaganagar Reservoir The Kodaganagar Reservoir is situated on the River Kodagananar. This reservoir serves the entire river basin expanding to almost 2000 sq km. The water of the Kodaganagar reservoir is mainly used in the district of Dindigul and a small part in the district of Karur in the state of Tamil Nadu. Krishnagiri Reservoir Another known reservoir in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is the Krishnagiri Reservoir. This reservoir in Tamil Nadu was founded upstream of Sathanur Dam. Even if the Krishnagiri reservoir occupies the same area to that of the dam, the reservoir is much shallower.

Kullursandai Reservoir

Kullursandai Reservoir situated over the Kowsiga Mahanadi. Kowsiga Mahanadi is a tributary of the Arjuna Nadi. The Kullursandai is situated in the district of Virudhunagar in the state of Tamil Nadu. Kullursandai reservoir is one of the notable tourist destinations the region. Manjalar Reservoir The Manjalar Reservoir present in the state of Tamil Nadu caters to the water requirements of the district of Madurai. The reservoir is very small in size and it mainly acts as a breeding place tilapia fishery. Almost 80 percent or more of the fishery production in the Tamil Nadu state is bred at this Manjalar Reservoir. Mettur Dam One of the most prominent dams in the state of Tamil Nadu is the Mettur Dam. This dam is located at a distance of about thirty km from Salem. This dam was constructed in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the year 1934. The Mettur Dam was built in a gorge, where the Kaveri River enters the plains. The Dam has a height of 65 metre, length 1616 metre, area 15,540 hectare and capacity 2648 cubic metre. This dam facilitates irrigation in the districts of Thanjavur, Salem and Tiruchirappali for 271,000 acres of farm land. The Mettur Hydro Electrical power project is also quite large. The dam irrigates 1,310 sq km of agricultural land every year. The installed capacity of the dam for hydro-power generation is 32 MW. Pambar Reservoir The Pambar Reservoir was constructed on the River Pambar. The Pambar reservoir stands at an altitude of 1,400 feet. The Parambikulam Dam is located at Udumalaipettai, in the district of Palakkad in the Western Ghats of India. The Parambikulam Dam ranked number one in India as well as in the top ten embankment dams in the world with a volume capacity in the year 2000. Pechiparai Reservoir Pechiparai Reservoir is located at a place which is at a distance of about 43 km from the town of Nagercoil and also close to the village of Pechiparai. The reservoir is located in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. The reservoir was created by the construction of the Pechiparai Dam, which was constructed across the River Kodayar about a mile downstream the confluence of the tributaries of Kallar, Chittar and Kuttiyar. The catchments area of the Pechiparai reservoir is around 207.19 sq km, and the depth is almost 14.63 meters. The water of the Pechiparai reservoir is used for both irrigation of crops and also for drinking purposes.

Periyar Reservoir

The Periyar Reservoir was constructed in the year 1895 on the Periyar River, thus submerging 26 sq km of evergreen forest. The Mullayar and Periyar river systems drain the catchments area of the reservoir. The altitudinal range of the reservoir is around 79-1,987 metres and the annual average rainfall experienced in this region is about 3,289 mm. Sholayar Reservoir Sholayar Reservoir is constructed in close proximity to Valparai. The plateau where this reservoir is constructed gets heavy rain throughout the year. During the rainy season, the water level reaches almost 162.77 feet against the full reservoir level of 160 feet. Stanley Reservoir Stanley Reservoir is one of largest fishing reservoirs in the states of south India. The source of water of this reservoir is the River Kaveri. The water of Stanley Reservoir is hold back by the Mettur Dam. The total capacity of Stanley Reservoir is more than 90,000,000,000 cubic feet. The Stanley Reservoir is one of the largest of its type in India and the construction of the same was completed in the year 1934. Thirumurthi Reservoir The Thirumurthi Reservoir is a moderately productive reservoir at the tail end of the Parmabikulam Aliyar system. This is a small reservoir and the construction of the same was completed around the year 1966. The Thirumurthi reservoir is the breeding place for many fish species. The River Chalakudy forms the Thunakadavu Reservoir. Vaigai Dam The Vaigai Dam in Tamil Nadu was mainly constructed to cater to the requirement of water for irrigation for the districts of Dindigul and Madurai as well as drinking water to Andipatti and Madurai. The Vaigai Dam is constructed across the Vaigai River, close to Andipatti, in the district of Theni in Tamil Nadu. Varadamanadhi Reservoir The Varadamanadhi Reservoir helps to increase agricultural production in the district of Dindigul. The water of Varadamanadhi reservoir is used in National agriculture production at large.

Varattupallam Reservoir

The Varattupallam Reservoir is situated at Varattupallam close to Anthiyur of Tamil Nadu. The Varattupallam reservoir is eventually depleting due to the scarcity of rain in Bargur hill area. The Varattupallam reservoir usually stores more than 30 feet of water, with a capacity of about 3 TMC ft. of water. The water of the Varattupallam reservoir is mainly used for irrigation. Vattamalaikarai Odai Reservoir The construction of Vattamalaikarai Odai Reservoir was initiated in the year 1974 and was completed in the year 1981. Vattamalaikarai Odai reservoir is situated in Uthamapalayam. The Vattamalaikarai Odai reservoir provides water for irrigational purposes to about 6,024 acres of land. During the months of monsoon about 20ft. of water is stored in this dam. Vidur Reservoir Another major reservoir in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu is the Vidur Reservoir which is also regarded as the shallowest of all reservoirs in the state. The average depth of the Vidur reservoir is 2.1 meters. Another notable reservoir is the Gundar reservoir. It is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt spot in the state of Tamil Nadu. One of the notable dams of Tamil Nadu is the Perunchani Dam. The Manimukthanadi reservoir is a dam in the south Arcot district. This reservoir is situated in the Kalkad region of Tamil Nadu. Another reservoir of the state is the Willingdon reservoir which is constructed on the River Periya Odai. Another major reservoir in the Tamil Nadu state is the Amaravathi Reservoir, which is situated at Amaravathinagar. Dams and reservoirs in Tamil Nadu cater to the basic requirement of water for the purpose of drinking by the people of the state and they also serve as the major source of water for the cultivation of vast stretch of agricultural lands. They also serve the purpose for the production of Hydro electricity. The natural beauty surrounding the dams in Tamil Nadu also acts as an option for a suitable tourist destination.

There are Four Regions formed based on River Basins and Five Functional Units based on activities. The Water Resources Organisation was structured to have the set up as under for administrative reasons and easy financial flows the controls to be built in the following set up of the Department.

1. The Engineer-in-Chief, WRO and Chief Engineer (Gl), PWD, Chennai 2. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, Chennai Region, Chennai 3. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, Pollachi Region, Coimbatore 4. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, Tiruchy Region, Tiruchy 5. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, Madurai Region, Madurai The Functional Units are under the special activities of : 6. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, Plan Formulation, Chennai 7. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre, Chennai 8. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, Design Research and Construction Support, Chennai 9. The Chief Engineer, WRO, PWD, Operation and Maintenance, Chennai 10. The Chief Engineer & Director, WRO, Institute for Water Studies, Chennai

Is Arasu brand cement a good quality cement? Yes. Arasu brand cement is a very good quality cement manufactured by Tamilnadu Cements Corporation Ltd., a Govt. of Tamilnadu undertaking and number of Govt. Buildings, Dams and Bridges have been constructed by using entirely Arasu cement, which stands as Testimony for "ARASU Cement". What is the minimum quantity to be ordered for delivery at site? 10 Tonnes consisting of 200 bags of cement.

What is the minimum time required for delivery of cement? Cement will be supplied within 24 hours from the time of remittance of cash/DD. Whether the customer can directly make the payment for supply of cement at the factories?

Consumers have to make the payment through one of the authorised dealers situated near their place of construction excepting in Chennai and Suburbs where they can make the payment for supply of cement directly at TANCEM's Corporate Office at 735, Anna Salai, Chennai-2 for any quantity. What is the mode of payment? The cost of cement has to be remitted either by cash or by way of Demand Draft drawn in favour of 'Tamilnadu Cements Corporation Limited' . What is OPC Cement? OPC means Ordinary Portland Cement which contains mixture of portland clinker and Gypsum ground to a very fine powder. What is PPC Cement? PPC means Portland Pozzolana Cement. It is manufactured by blending a mixture of Ordinary Portland cement and Pozzolana materials such as Fly Ash, in proportions not less than 15% and not more than 35% by weight of cement. The fineness of PPC will be greater than OPC. What is the difference between OPC and PPC Cement? Addition of Pozzolanic material such as fly ash in the cement manufacture by 15% to 35% is the only difference between OPC and PPC. What are preferable constructions by OPC and PPC? OPC: OPC is categorised as 33 Grade, 43 Grade and 53 Grade. It is preferably used in Defence Services, Railway Sleeper making and in lean concrete structures. PPC: PPC is having better resistance to Sulphate attack and hence it is preferably used in Sea Shore, Dam constructions and in the earth work concreting to neutralise corrosion effect of soil and water under the earth's crest. Due to higher fineness, mostly it is used in plastering work for smooth finishing. What are the duration of curing for OPC and PPC? Duration for curing is same for both OPC and PPC. But the water cement ratio may be slightly varied. As the cement is attaining full strength at 28 days, concretes made out of both the cements are to be cured for 28 days.

What is the method of curing for OPC and PPC? Method of curing is identical for both OPC and PPC. A slightly higher humidity has to be created around the cement construction (by poring water) so as to allow the water content of cement mortar/concrete is ready for hydration reaction upto 28 days, the time required to attain full strength. What is percentage of sand mixing for OPC and PPC?

Sand mixing in OPC or PPC is at different level depending upon the nature of mortar/concrete works. Some of the specialised concreting works, the addition of sand is restricted in PPC when compared to OPC. What are the setting time for OPC and PPC? Same for both OPC and PPC. i.e. initial setting time 30 minutes and final setting time 600 Minutes. (10 hours) What is the difference between 43 and 53 Grade? Both differs in terms of compressive strength as per details given below

S.NO

TIME

43 GRADE

43 GRADE

3 Days Strength

23 Mpa (min)

27 Mpa (min)

7 Days Strength

33 Mpa (min)

37 Mpa (min)

28 Days Strength

43 Mpa (min)

53 Mpa (min)

The differences are due to change in the potential phase composition of the clinker. The heat of hydration of 43 Grade is less than 53 Grade. Why there is no grade for PPC? Since gradation of cement is mainly due to the difference in potential phase composition of clinker such as C2S, C3S, etc., the addition of Pozzolana to cement manufactured will not hold good for any cement gradation for PPC. But PPC should meet out OPC 33 Grade strength on curing for 28 days as per BIS.

After independence we have made lots of progress in Dam and water reservoirs, Now India is one of the worlds most prolific dam-builders. Around 4300 large dams already constructed and many more in the pipeline, Almost half of which are more than twenty years old. These dams are major attraction of tourists from all over India. Some facts about the Indian dams are: Tehri Dam is the eighth highest dam in the world. The Idukki dam is the first Indian arch dam in Periyar River Kerala and the largest arch dam in Asia. The Grand Anicut, Kallanai, located on Holy Cavery River in Tamil Nadu, is the oldest dam in the world. Indira Sagar Dam is the Largest Reservoir in India. These dams with the channel provides an ideal environment for wildlife. Tehri Dam: Tehri Dam located on the Bhagirathi River, Uttaranchal Now become Uttarakhand. Tehri Dam is the highest dam in India,With a height of 261 meters and the eighth tallest dam in the world. The high rock and earth-fill embankment dam first phase was completed in 2006 and other two phases are under construction. The Dam water reservoir use for irrigation, municipal water supply and the generation of 1,000 MW of hydroelectricity. Height: 260 meters Length: 575 meters Type: Earth and rock-fill Reservoir Capacity: 2,100,000 acreft River: Bhagirathi River Location: Uttarakhand Installed capacity: 1,000 MW Bhakra Nangal Dam: Bhakra Nangal Dam is a gravity dam across the sutlej river Himachal Pradesh. Bhakra Nangal is the largest dam in India, with a height of 225 meters and second largest Dam in Asia. Its reservoir, known as the Gobind Sagar Lake it is the second largest reservoir in India, the first being Indira Sagar dam. Height: 226 meters Length: 520 meters Type: Concrete gravity Reservoir Capacity: 7,501,775 acreft River: Sutlej River Location: Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Installed capacity: 1325 MW

Hirakud Dam: Hirakud dam built across the Mahanadi River in tribal state Orissa. Hirakud Dam is one of the longest dams in the world about 26 km in length. There are two observation towers on the dam one is Gandhi Minar and another one is Nehru Minar. The Hirakud Reservoir is 55 km long used as multipurpose scheme intended for flood control, irrigation and power generation. It was one of the major multipurpose river valley project after Independence. Height: 60.96 meters Length: 25.8 km Type: Composite Dam Reservoir Capacity: 4,779,965 acreft River: Mahanadi River Location: Orissa Installed capacity: 307.5 MW Nagarjunasagar Dam: Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the worlds largest masonry dam with a height of 124 meters, built across Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is certainly the pride of India-considered the largest man-made lake in the world. The 1.6 km long with 26 gates dam was symbol of modern Indias architectural and technological triumphs over nature. Height: 124 meters Length:1,450 meters Type: Masonry Dam Reservoir Capacity: 9,371,845 acreft River: Krishna River Location: Andhra Pradesh Installed capacity: 816 MW Sardar Sarovar Dam: Sardar Sarovar Dam also known as Narmada Dam is the largest dam to be built, with a height of 163 meters, over the Sacred Narmada River in Gujarat. Drought prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra will get irrigate by this project. The gravity dam is the largest dam of Narmada Valley Project with power facilities up to 200 MW. The dam is meant to benefit the 4 major states of India Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Height: 163 meters Length:1,210 meters

Type: Gravity Dam Reservoir Capacity: 7,701,775 acreft River: Narmada River Location: Gujarat Installed capacity: 1,450 MW

After the great response on article Biggest dams in India, on public demand i am listing another Top 10 Major Dams of India. India is country with some of the great rivers like Ganga, Narmada and Brahmputra. These rivers are having some of the largest dams and reservoirs in India such as Nanak Sagar and Indira Sagar. Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh is well known for its 7 dams, those are Rajghat dam, Matateela dam, Govindsagar dam, Sehjaad dam, Saajnam dam, Jamini dam and Rohini dam. Matatila dam is the biggest one form all of them with height of 33.53 meters on Betwa river. These large dams play an important role for Irrigation and Agriculture growth of the nation, but at the same time it affect the people and environment and wildlife. Cheruthoni Dam: Cheruthoni Dam, the largest concrete gravity dam in Kerala, is located close to Idukki arch dam. It is the third highest dam in India with a 454 feet-high across River Cheruthoni. Idukki is a hill station in India, is much famous for its wildlife treasure keenly followed by other attractions too. These two dams are one of best picnic spot for the tourists, The Idukki and Cheruthoni dams opened to the public in connection with the Onam festival season. At the end of the Cheruthoni dam continue walking along the properly fenced road lead to Idukki Dam. The height of 560 feet brought a thrilling experience and wonderful view of greens valley. Height: 450 feet Length: 2300 feet Type: Concrete Gravity Dam River: Cheruthoni River Location: Kerala Installed capacity: 32 MWIndira Sagar Dam: Indira sagar dam built on the Narmada river with a height of 92m. is concrete gravity dam, located in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. Indira sagar project was the key project on Narmada river providing excellent storage site of water. Indira Sagar Dam has the biggest reservoir in India.

Height: 92 m Length: 653 m Type: Concrete Gravity Dam River: Narmada River Location: Madhya Pradesh Installed capacity: 1,000 MWKrishnarajasagar Dam: Krishnarajasagar dam built across Kaveri River near Mysore in Karnataka. It is one of the principal and largest dam built on the river Kaveri in Karnatakain, South India. The Kaveri is one of the major river in India, also referred as the Dakshina Ganga. There is a Famous Brindavan Gardens attached to the dam, its a part of the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam and is one of the most beautiful gardens in Mysore. Height: 125 feet Length: 3.5km Type: Masonry Dam River: Kaveri River Location: Karnataka Installed capacity: 200 MW Mettur Dam: Mettur Dam built across Kaveri River at Salem district in Tamil Nadu with a height of 120 ft. It is one the largest and one of the oldest dam built in India. Mettur Dam has biggest and the most power generating capacity dam in Tamil Nadu. Mettur Dam is very beautiful place of tourist, the river is a wonderful site to explorer the nature. Height: 120 ft. Length: 1700 meters Type: Concrete Dam River: Kaveri River Location: Tamil Nadu Installed capacity: 32 MWBisalpur Dam: The greatest dam of Rajasthan-Bisalpur, located in Tonk District of Rajasthan. The dam is built across the Banas River between two mountains. The largest dam of Rajasthan-Bisalpur with a height of 39m is one of the honor of Rajasthan.

Tonk dam attract vast variety of birds local as well as migratory. Height: 130 ft. Length: 1883 ft Type: Gravity Dam River: Banas River Location:Rajasthan Installed capacity: 172 MWKoyna Dam: Koyna Dam is built across river koyana in Koyna Naga Maharashtra with a height of 103m. It is one of the largest dams in Maharashtra located at western ghats. The lake founded by the Koyna dam is called The Shivaji Lake, the area is surrounded with the natural beauty of Sahyadri Mountains Ranges. Height: 339 ft. Length: 2,648 ft Type: Rubble-Concrete dam River: Koyna River Location: Maharashtra Installed capacity: 1,920 MWMaithon Dam: Maithon Dam is built on the river of Barakar located at Maithon and is a big dam in tribal state Jharkhand. Maithon Dam is one of the most popular dams in Jharkhand and one of the most successful multipurpose projects in India. This dam specially designed for flood control and generates high electric power. There is an underground power station, the first of its kind in the whole of South East Asia. Maithon Dam is the biggest reservoir in the Damodar Valley. Height: 165 ft Length: 15,712 ft Type: Concrete cum Earthen dam River: Barakar River Location: Jharkhand Installed capacity: 60 MWRihand Dam: The Rihand dam has been built across Rihand River a tributary of Sone river, near Pipri in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The concrete gravity dam has its maximum height that is 91m. The reservoir made by Rihand dam is known as Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) reservoir.

Height: 299 ft Length: 3064 ft Type: Concrete Gravity dam River: Rihand River Location: Uttar Pradesh Installed capacity: 300 MW TungaBhadra Dam: TungaBhadra dam is constructed across river Tungabhadra, a tributary of River Krishna, located approximately five km from Hospet town in Karnataka, which is also the largest dam in Karnataka. It offers a majestic sight, along with a Japanese garden, musical mountain and a beautiful scenery of nature. Height: 49.38 meters Length: 2441 meters Type: Earthen Gravity Dam River: Tungabhadra River Location: Karnataka Installed capacity: 72 MWBhavanisagar Dam: The Bhavani Sagar Dam constructed across Bhavani river, is located 80 Km away from Coimbatore city, Tamil Nadu. This dam looks very beautiful and one of the important tourist place in the district of Erode. The Bhavanisagar dam is 8 km. long and it is the longest masonry dam in the world. Height: 105 ft Length: 1700 meters Type: Earthen dam River: Bhavani River Location: Tamil Nadu Installed capacity: 1,920 MWImpacts of Dams: On the other hand these big reservoirs also affects rivers, environment, forest and wildlife around the area also the local people. The environmental impacts of dams are one is due to the construction and second is its mode of operation. Due to these reservoirs in rivers some species benefit like cold water fish etc but forests, wetlands and wildlife face most the effect of a dam like habitats loss of plants and animals.