Irrigation and Hydro-power of Kerala
Irrigation:
In order to overcome the challenges like water shortage, faced by the paddy growers, the authorities worked on many possibilities to irrigate a large area of the state and many projects were found for this purpose.
Storage Irrigation Schemes of Kerala:
Idamalayar Irrigation Scheme: The scheme envisages the utilization of the tailrace water from the Idamalayar Hydroelectric Project. The tailrace water, which is impounded by the Periyar barrage under PVIP, is drawn through a system of canals. These canals are constructed under this scheme to provide irrigation facilities to 14394 ha. (net) / 29036 ha. (gross) area. The budget outlay for this project for 2005-2006 was Rs 5.00 crores.
Moovattupuzha valley Project: This Project in Idukki district envisages the utilization of the tailrace water from the Idukki Hydroelectric Project and run-off from the free catchment upstream of Thodupuzha River, which is impounded by construction of a dam across Thodupuzha River at Malankara, 8 km upstream of Thodupuzha town. The water from the reservoir is directed through a system of canals to provide irrigation facilities to 19237 Ha (net) area of land in Ernakulam and Kottayam Districts. The Project was partially commissioned during 1994 after completing the head works and certain length of canal system.
Kallada Irrigation Scheme:Kallada irrigation and Tree crop development scheme is the largest irrigation project in Kerala. The command area of this project is distributed over Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha district and covers Pathanapuram, Kottarakkara, Kollam, Kunnathur, Karunagappally, Adoor, Mavelikkara and KarthikappallyTaluks. The scheme was planned to irrigate net cultivable command area of 61630 Ha. During the course of execution few canals including Kayamkulam Branch canal were dropped and now this scheme benefits a net cultivable command area of 53514 Ha in 92 villages. Left and right bank main canals are fully completed. Kallada Irrigation scheme is a unique project in Kerala, where minor conveyance system consisting of a network of PVC pipe is introduced for supplying water from canal to crops. This is the most efficient system for conveying water to fields, as the loss of water is least. In this system water is conveyed through buried pipe lines and hence compared to field channels, land requirement is less. The works of minor conveyance system for most of canals were completed along with the construction of canals except for a few distributaries.
Cheerakuzhy Scheme: This scheme in Palakkad envisages construction of a weir built across the Gayathripuzha (Bharathapuzha). The project is intended for irrigating 1620 Ha land in ThalappallyTaluk in Thrissur district, through the left bank canal, and distributaries. The project was completed during the year 1973.
Vazhani Scheme: This scheme in Thrissur district envisages construction of an earth dam built across the Vadakkancherrypuzha, one of the tributaries of Keecherripuzha. The scheme is intended for irrigating 3560 Ha (net) in ThalappallyTaluk on Thrissur district through the left bank and right bank canal system. Vazhani dam which is situated in the forest between the Macchad hills along with its garden is a splendid spectacular view. It is one of the tourist attractions of Thrissur district. The Vazhani dam which has a length of 800 m along with a lake of 1.84 sq. km has a high prospect for tourism development. For attracting tourists, the highest point in the dam area, along with a garden having an area of about 4 Ha with a lake and fountain has been maintained. Various programmes have been incorporated for developing tourism in the area .The project was completed during the year 1962.
Peechi Scheme: This scheme in Thrissur district envisages construction of a dam built across the Manali River one of the tributaries of Karuvannurriver. It is intended for irrigating 17555 Ha land in Mukundapuram, Thalappally, Thrissur and ChavakkadTaluk, through the left and right bank main canal and Branch canals. In addition to this, drinking water is supplied to Thrissur Corporation and Eight nearby Panchayats from this reservoir. The Peechi Dam Area is a Main Tourist Centre and there is a garden. Swimming pool and Boat services in reservoir are under the control of Irrigation department. The project was completed during the year 1957.
Chimoni Scheme: This scheme in Thrissur district envisages construction of a Dam at Echippara across Chimoni river, a tributary of Karuvannurriver. No canal system has been constructed in this project. The speciality of this project is that the water impounded in the reservoir will be made available to the Kole land fields through the river and existing canal system by means of regulator at Manjankuzhi, Kottamkadalavu and Illickal. The Kole land in Thrissur is famous for its unique system of cultivation. By this scheme it is proposed to raise two crops from the command of 13000 Ha (Net). It is also proposed to generate power of 2.5 MW. The water released from this project is utilized for drinking water supply also. This project was fully commissioned and dedicated to the nation in 1996.
Periyar Valley Scheme: The Periyar valley Irrigation scheme in Ernakulam district envisages the utilization of the tailrace discharge from the completed Hydel scheme in the Muthirapuzha tributary of river Periyar together with the controlled release from Ennackal dam constructed by Kerala State Electricity Board under Hydel scheme across the Idamalayar tributary and the dependable run off from the uncontrolled catchment of Periyar river. It is intended for irrigating an area of 32800 Ha of land lying on the left bank of Periyarriver through a net work of canal system and controlling devices. The scheme helps in stabilization of first and second crops in an area of 32800 Ha and raising an additional crop in an area of 20000 Ha of 3rd crop (Puncha). Thus the gross potential ayacut of the scheme will be 85600 Ha and is spread over in Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kanayannoor and ParurTaluk in Ernakulam district.
Pamba Scheme: The Pamba Irrigation scheme in Pathanamthitta district aims at the utilization of the tail race water of Sabarigiri Hydro Electric project for irrigation purpose. The tail race water is let into the river Kakkad and is picked up at Maniyar by a barrage. The water thus collected is diverted through a canal on the left bank of the river. Project potential is 21135 Ha. inRanni, Kozhenchery, Mollappilly and Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district and Chengannoor, Mavelikkara, Karthikappilly and Kayamkulam in Alapuzha district. The ayacut is generally on the right and left bank of river Pamba which is in between the rivers of Manimala and Achancoil on the right and left respectively and in tail reaches it covers Onattukara and eastern fringes of paddy field in Kuttanad of Kerala. The project consists of a barrage of length 115.22m with FRL at 34.62m. The project was completed during 1993.
Hydro-power projects:
Kerala has numerous striking and huge dams with unique building features. Kerala is known as Gods own country. Dams in Kerala have been built to generate hydro-electricity. These dams are also useful in keeping a check on the surge of water. In the year 1979 BanasuraSagar Dam was operated for the first time and Karamanathodu tributary is used to hold the water for the dam. The other famous dam of Kerala is Chalakudy Dam that got its name since it has been built on Chalakudy River and the dam is located in Thrissur district. In the east of Chalakudy town at a throw of 65 km is the Sholayar dam. The surroundings of Peechi dam is perfect place for commencing picnics and enjoying the family day trip. This dam is located 23 km away from Thrissur district. The original purpose of Peechi dam was irrigation but later it was decided that the dam will serve the purpose for drinking water in the province. A dam built of clay and is one of the largest dam of Kerala is named as Vazhani Dam. This dam supplies water both for irrigation and drinking.
Keralaisendowed with vast small hydropowerpotentialtothetuneofabout700MW.GovernmentofKeralahas issued severalguidelines from timetotimeforthedevelopmentofsmall hydro powerproject since1992.Themeasures have encouraged privateinvestmenttoharness green energy from naturalresources.
Famous Dams
Malampuzha Dam in Kerala
In the proximity of Palakkad is one of the most important dams known as Malampuzha dam. This dam attracts many tourists and is one the chief reservoir in state of Kerala. This dam is made of sandstone and has a length of 1,849 meters and the clay dam that has length of 220 meters. The combined height of the dam is 6,066 feet. The work of dam was instigated in the year 1949 and the work completed in the year 1955. The purpose solved by this dam is majorly for irrigation on the farming land. The reservoir created is used for the purpose of serving the drinking water supply of Palakkad district and the neighboring small villages and town.
Mangalam Dam in Kerala
To provide the supply of water for irrigation a special dam was constructed on the riverCherukunnapuzha River and the dam is called Mangalam Dam. The work of constructing the dam for canal system was completed with the purpose of supplying water for irrigation and the dam became operational in 1966. This dam was built up in Palakkad district in Alathurtaluk that is part of Kerala a state in southern part of India. The major purpose of erecting this dam was for production of hydroelectricity.
BanasuraSagar Dam in Kerala
In the year 1979 the project for erecting Banasurasagar Dam was commensed and
the project was called Banasurasagar Project. The major work involved in the construction of this project was a creation of dam and a canal. The basic purpose of construction the dam was to sustain the Kakkayam hydroelectric power project. The dam was also built up with another aim of serving the irrigation and drinking water supply in the nearby areas and helping the areas to fulfill their demands during the paucity of water. This dam is located 21 kms from Kalpetta in the district of Wayanad.
Peechi Dam in Kerala
The most ancient dam in Kerala is Peechi dam that is 23 km away from Thrissur. The dam was constructed with the aim of serving the irrigation but later it was decided that the dam would also serve for the nearby areas for their drinking necessities. The tourists who visit this dam can also enjoy boating and then also enjoy in the hands of nature to feel relaxed.