Kodiveri Dam

Kodiveri Dam is a masonry dam located on the Bhavani river in Gobichettipalayam taluk, Erode district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The dam is situated along the State Highway 15 about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Gobichettipalayam towards Sathyamangalam in the western region of the state.

Kodiveri dam
Official nameKodiveri anaicut
CountryIndia
LocationAkkarai Kodiveri, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Tamil Nadu
Coordinates11°28′23″N 77°17′47″E
PurposeIrrigation
StatusIn use
Opening date1125 AD (canal)
17th century (dam)
Owner(s)Government of Tamil Nadu
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsBhavani River
Reservoir
CreatesKodiveri

Etymology

The name ‘Kodiveri’ originated from ‘kodivari’ meaning tiger in Tamil. This might be due to the presence of the dam in a forest area where a number of tigers lived.[1]

History

A channel was excavated at Kodiveri in 1125 AD by Kongalvan, who was a chieftain under the rule of Chola king Kulottunga I.[2][3] The dam was constructed in the 17th century by Maharaja of Mysore using elephants and prisoners.[1][4] It was carved out of a 20-foot wall of rock and the stones interlocked with iron bars with lead as mortar. These features, however, are not visible except in the dry season when the water level in the river drops considerably.[3]

Hydrography

The dam is built on the Bhavani river. Two channels arise from the dam, Arrakkankottai on the northern side of Bhavani river and Thadapalli on the southern side.[5][6] Lands north of Gobichettipalayam are irrigated by Thadapalli channel and cultivation of sugarcane and paddy are predominant in this area. The dam irrigates an area of 24,504 acres (9,916 ha).[7][8]

Recreation

The dam is a popular tourist spot. The park, associated play area and coracle rides are the main attractions.[9]

See also

References
  1. "A watery break from routine". Covai Post. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  2. "Kongalavan who built Kodiveri dam". Dinakaran (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  3. Indian Archaeology, a Review. Archaeological Survey of India. 1994. p. 115.
  4. Lannerstad, M; Molden, D (2009). Adaptive water resource management in the South Indian Lower Bhavani Project Command Area. International Water Management Institute. p. 6. ISBN 9789290907039.
  5. Saravanan, Velayutham (2020). Water and the Environmental History of Modern India. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781350130845.
  6. "Water available in Bhavani Sagar reservoir sufficient for second crop". The Hindu. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  7. "Water released into canals to irrigate 24,504 acres". The Hindu. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  8. "Water from Kodiveri Check Dam released". The Hindu. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  9. "Kodiveri Dam, a weekend tourist destination in Erode district". The Hindu. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
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