Bhavanisagar Dam
Bhavanisagar Dam and Reservoir also called Lower Bhavani
Dam, is located on the Bhavani River in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. The dam is situated
some 16 km (9.9 mi) west to Sathyamangalam, is 35 km
(22 mi) from Gobichettipalayam and is 36 km (22 mi)
north-east to Mettupalayam. The dam feeds
the Lower Bhavani Project
Canal and is the second largest dam in Tamil Nadu.
The dam is considered to be among the biggest earthen dams in the
country. Bhavanisagar dam is constructed on Bhavani River, which is merely
under the union of Moyar River. The dam is used to divert water to the Lower
Bhavani Project Canal.
It is also the second biggest earthen dam in the World (First one
in Russia ). The length of the earthen bund itself runs in to 8 Kms. from Zero
Point. The Dam was constructed during post independent period from 1948 to
1955. The construction cost of the dam was 21.00 Crores. It is a Multi-Purpose
Dam. It is used to store water for irrigation, generate electricity, supply
drinking water, control flood and control the silt formation in the downstream
river. It forms the tail end of the long river chain on the eastern side of the
Western Ghats in Nilgiris. Average discharge from the dam is 1000 Cu Secs.
The Dam receives water through Southwest Monsoon from two main
streams/ catchment areas from the Western Ghats. One stream is from Upper
Bhavani, Avalanche, Emerald, Kundha, Gedhai, Pillur, Nellithurai and Lower
Bhavani ( Bhavanisagar ). The other stream called as Western Catchment starts
from Portimund, Parson’s Valley, Pykara, Glenmorgan, Chinkara, Maravakandy,
Moyar, Thengumarahatta and Lower Bhavani ( Bhavanisagar ). Bhavani Sagar dam is
constructed on Bhavani River, which is merely under the union of Moyar River.
The dam is used to divert water to the Lower Bhavani Project Canal. The Ayacut
was thrown open to irrigation from 1952 onwards. The project commands an area
of 80,000.00 Hectares @ 1, 97,600.00 Acres i.e., around 2.00 Lakh Acres.
This Dam houses two Hydel Power Stations. One Power Station is
located on the East Bank Canal and the other on the main Bhavani River. Each of
the Units has 16 MW installed capacity. Thus, 32 MW of power is generated
almost throughout the year
About 80 km from Coimbatore is the beautiful Bhavani Sagar Dam
that was built after India gained independence and is one of the largest
earthen dams in India and has been constructed over River Bhavani. With
beautiful sprawling gardens, it is a delight for children and perfect place for
picnics.
·
Bhavanisagar Reservoir
·
Lower Bhavani Power House
·
Lower Bhavani Major Irrigation Project
·
Lower Bhavani RBC Power House
Name of the Dam
|
Lower Bhavani Dam
|
Nearest City
|
Sathyamangalam
|
District
|
Erode
|
State
|
Tamil Nadu
|
Basin Name
|
Cauvery
|
River
|
Bhavani
|
Dam Type
|
Earthen / Gravity / Masonry
|
Purpose
|
Hydroelectric, Irrigation
|
Completion Year
|
1955
|
Length of Dam (m)
|
8797
|
Dam Height (m)
|
62
|
Design flood (cumec)
|
4043
|
Type of Spillway
|
Ogee
|
Length of spillway (m)
|
121
|
Type of Spillway gates
|
VERTICAL LIFT
|
Number of Spillway gates
|
9
|
Size of Spillway Gates (m X m)
|
10.97 x 6.10
|
Crest Level of spillway
|
274.32
|
Total Volume content of dam (TCM)
|
4960
|
Spillway capacity (cumec)
|
3143
|
Seismic Zone
|
Seismic Zone-II
|
This dam supplies water to two canals:
·
Arakkankottai and Thadampalli
·
Lower Bhavani Project (LBP)
There is a garden in front of this dam, which makes it a good
picnic spot in this area. There are a few things that children could play with
(like swings, etc.) and there is also a small closed channel of water for
boating, a nice picnic spot for spending a day.
Children's can greatly enjoy while the time of their visit, as
there is a park specially made to engage the children. The park is cleanly kept
under perfect maintenance and it gives a great comfort to kids. The LBP was the
first major irrigation project initiated in India after independence in 1947
and was in full operation by 1956.