Kulamavu Dam is a gravity/masonry dam on Kilivillithode, which is a tributary of the Periyar river in Arakkulam village, Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of three dams associated with the Idukki hydroelectric power project in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] This dam is located towards the western side of the Idukki Arch Dam.[2] This is a gravity dam with the top portion in concrete and the bottom in masonry.[3]

Kulamavu Dam
Kulamavu dam
Kulamavu Dam is located in Kerala
Kulamavu Dam
Location in Kerala
Kulamavu Dam is located in India
Kulamavu Dam
Kulamavu Dam (India)
CountryIndia
LocationKulamavu, Idukki, Kerala
Coordinates9°48′10.59″N 76°53′46″E / 9.8029417°N 76.89611°E / 9.8029417; 76.89611
PurposeHydroelectric
StatusOperational
Construction began30 April 1969
Opening dateFebruary 1977
Owner(s)Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity, masonry
ImpoundsPeriyar River
Height (foundation)100 m (328 ft)
Length385 m (1,263 ft)
Width (crest)220 ft (67 m)
Dam volume620,300 m3 (811,300 cu yd)
Spillway typeUG
Spillway capacity1,600 m3/s (57,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Catchment area38 km2
Normal elevation2,500 ft (760 m)
Turbines6 x 130 MW Pelton-type
Installed capacity780 MW

The dam is situated on the Thodupuzha - Puliyanmala state highway (SH-33), about 23 km (14 mi) from Idukki arch dam, 22 km (14 mi) from Cheruthoni dam and 38 km (24 mi) from Thodupuzha. Preliminary work on the dam was initiated under the leadership of Superintending Engineer, E.U. Philipose. The dam was completed in the year 1977 and is operated and maintained by Kerala State Electricity Board.

The dams of Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu extend to an area of 33 km2. The construction of these three dams formed a 60 km2 artificial lake. The water stored in it is used for the production of electricity at the power house in Moolamattom.[4][5] Taluks through which release flow are Thodupuzha, Udupanchola, Devikulam, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.

Specifications

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  • Type of Dam :Masonry & Concrete Gravity
  • Classification : VH (Very High Dam )
  • Panchayath : Arakkulam
  • Village : idukki
  • District : Idukki
  • River Basin : Periyar
  • River : Kilivallithodu
  • Release from Dam to river : Kilivallithodu
  • Length of Dam (m) : 385
  • Max Height above Foundation (m) :100
  • Total Volume Content of Dam (TCM) :453.13

Gross storage capacity: 1.996 cubic Kms (70.50 tmc ft) Active storage capacity: 1.46 cubic kms (51.56 tmc ft)

  • Design Flood (cumec) :8014 [6]
  • Maximum Water Level (MWL) : EL 2408.50 ft. ( 734.30 m)
  • Full Reservoir Level ( FRL) : EL 2403.00 ft. ( 732.62 m)
  • Storage at FRL : 1996.30Mm3
  • Spillway : No spillway
 
Dams in Periyar

Reservoir

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Kulamavu reservoir

Hydroelectric project

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This Underground Power Station is supposedly a technological achievement. There are six generating units each of 130 MW capacity. There are seven 220KV feeders for transmitting the power to the load centers. The power generated in the powerhouse is taken to the switchyard through 220 KV oil filled cables. After power generation, water from the power station is released to the Thodupuzha River through an underground tunnel which is 1220 meters in length. This tail race water is in turn used for producing electricity in the Malankara Small Hydro Electric Station and also for irrigation by means of Irrigation dam at Malankara.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Dam". Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  2. ^ "ITTCOS | Idukki Taluk Tourism Development Co-operative Society Ltd. No I-736". ittcosidukki.com. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Periyar Basin Hydro Projects". www.kseb.in. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  4. ^ കേരളത്തിന്റെ ഊർജ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിന് ദേശീയ റെക്കോഡ്; അഭിമാന പദ്ധതി | Moolamattom power house, retrieved 23 July 2021
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Kulamavu(Eb) Dam D03334 -". Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Periyar Basin Hydro Projects". www.kseb.in. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
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