Idukki Dam

Idukki Dam
Idukki Dam is located in Kerala
Idukki Dam
Location of Idukki Dam in Kerala
CountryIndia
LocationIdukki, Kerala
Coordinates9°50′34″N 76°58′34″E / 9.84278°N 76.97611°E / 9.84278; 76.97611
PurposePower generation
StatusOperational
Construction began1963
Opening date1976
(48 years ago)
 (1976)
Owner(s)Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of damConcrete, double curvature parabolic, thin arch.
ImpoundsPeriyar River
Height168.91 m (554 ft)
Height (foundation)169.16 meters
Length365.85 m (1,200 ft)
Dam volume450,000 m3 (16,000,000 cu ft)
SpillwaysNil
Reservoir
Total capacity1.996 km3 (70.5 tmc ft)
Active capacity1,460×10^6 m3 (1,183,641 acre⋅ft) (51.57 tmc ft)
Inactive capacity536×10^6 m3 (434,542 acre⋅ft) (18.93 tmc ft)
Catchment area649.3 km2 (251 sq mi)
Surface area60 km2 (23 sq mi)
Normal elevation732.62 m (2,404 ft)
Power Station
Commission date1975
Turbines6 x 130 MW Pelton-type
Installed capacity780 MW
Idukki Arch Dam Site prior to construction

The Idukki Dam is a double-curvature arch dam constructed across the Periyar River in a narrow gorge between two granite hills locally known as Kuravan and Kurathi in Idukki district in the state of Kerala, India. It is constructed and owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a 780 MW hydroelectric power station in Moolamattom, which started generating power on 4 October 1975.[1] At 168.91 metres (554.2 ft), it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. The Indo-Canadian project was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on February 17, 1976.[2]

This dam was constructed along with two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. Together, the three dams and Two saddle dams, Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Near Junction) and Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Right Bank) have created an artificial lake that is 60 km2 (23 sq mi) in area. The stored water is used to produce electricity at the Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside nearby rocky caves.[1]

Narakakkanam, Azhutha, Vazhikkadavu, Vadakkepuzha and Kuttiar diversion schemes were later added to augment the Idukki reservoir .

Idukki reservoir from Mount Calvary (dam beyond right edge)
  1. ^ a b "Idukki Arch Dam". Idukki District Administration.
  2. ^ "Kerala: Moolamattam power plant generates 10,000 crore units | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.