Neyyar Dam
Neyyar dam is a gravity dam on the Neyyar River in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, South India, located on the foot of the Western Ghats about 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram.[1] It was established in 1958 and is a popular picnic spot.
| Neyyar Dam | |
|---|---|
 Neyyar Dam | |
  Location of Neyyar Dam in Kerala  Neyyar Dam (India) | |
| Location | Kerala, India |
| Coordinates | 8°32′5″N 77°8′45″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1958 |
| Operator(s) | Government of Kerala |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | Neyyar river |
| Height | 56 m (184 ft) |
| Length | 294 m (965 ft) |
| Dam volume | 105,000 m3 (3,708,040 cu ft) |
| Spillways | 4 |
| Spillway capacity | 809 m3/s (28,570 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 1,060,000,000 m3 (859,356 acre⋅ft) |
| Active capacity | 1,010,000,000 m3 (818,820 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface area | 91 km2 (35 sq mi) |
History
Neyyar 2nd State (relates to both Madras and Kerala States) Government of Kerala started work on the project in their area in October 1956.[2]
Design
The Neyyar Dam is a rubble masonry gravity-type dam with a height of 56 m (184 ft) and length of 295 m (968 ft). Its structural volume is 105,000 m3 (3,708,040 cu ft). The dam creates a reservoir of 106,200,000 m3 (86,098 acre⋅ft) of which 101,000,000 m3 (81,882 acre⋅ft) is active (useful) capacity. The reservoir's surface area is 91 km2 (35 sq mi) and the dam's spillway has an 809.40 m3/s (28,584 cu ft/s) maximum discharge capacity.[3] One of the contractors who built the Neyyar Dam was Mr Jagathy Chellappan Contractor of Jagathy, Trivandrum.
Wildlife
Wild life includes Gaur, Sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Jungle cat, Nilgiri langur, Wild elephants and Sambar deer.
Activities
- Yoga
Neyyar Dam is home to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram where people can take courses in yoga and practice meditation. The trees that are growing inside the ashram are large due to care by the people.
- Boating
Tourists can hire a speed boat for Rs 250 per head to view the surrounding forests.[1]
- Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre
A crocodile farm was set up in 1977. It also includes a habitat for otters near the administrative complex. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary was named initially by the Kerala government after the late naturalist Steve Irwin as Steve Irwin National Park.
Attractions
- Lion safari park (Not open anymore due to the lions not breeding)
- Boating
- Deer park
- Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre
- Miniature wild life sanctuary
- Lake garden
- Swimming pool
- Watch tower
- Elephant riding
Transport
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 38 km away, and the nearest railway station is at Thiruvananthapuram, 30 km away.
References
- South India Handbook By Roma Bradnock
- https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1715/1/lsd_02_05_05-09-1958.pdf page 54
- "National Register of Large Dams - India" (PDF). Central Water Commission. p. 84. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
