Chenkulam Dam
Chenkulam Dam is a gravity dam located on the Muthirapuzha river in Vellathooval panchayat of Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] It spans 144.50 metres (474.1 ft) long and stands 26.82 metres (88.0 ft).[1] It hosts a 48 MW power plant.[2]
| Chenkulam Dam | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location of Chenkulam Dam in Kerala  Chenkulam Dam (India) | |
| Official name | Sengulam Dam |
| Country | India |
| Location | Idukki, Kerala |
| Coordinates | 10°00′39″N 77°01′57″E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1957 |
| Owner(s) | Kerala State Electricity Board |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | Muthirapuzha river |
| Height (foundation) | 26.82 m (88.0 ft) |
| Length | 143.26 m (470.0 ft) |
| Elevation at crest | 847.65 m (2,781.0 ft) |
| Width (crest) | 4.88 m (16.0 ft) |
| Dam volume | 18.4 TCM |
| Spillways | 3 |
| Spillway type | Ogee, ungated – overflow section 4.8 × 1.8 m |
| Spillway capacity | 70.8 m³/sec |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Chenkulam Reservoir |
| Active capacity | 0.3903 MCM |
| Inactive capacity | 846 m (2,776 ft) |
| Catchment area | 5.18 km2 (2.00 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 0.29 km2 (0.11 sq mi) |
| Maximum water depth | 849.49 m (2,787.0 ft) |
| Normal elevation | 847.65 m (2,781.0 ft) |
| Sengulam Power Station | |
| Coordinates | 9°58′33″N 77°01′50″E |
| Operator(s) | Kerala State Electricity Board |
| Commission date | 1954 |
| Turbines | 4 × 12.8 MW, Pelton-type |
| Installed capacity | 51.25 MW |
| Annual generation | 182 MU |
| Website Official website | |
History
The project was commissioned in 1954 with a capacity of 48 MW (4 x 12 MW). The dam was constructed in 1957 as part of the Chenkulam Hydroelectric Project.[3][4] In 2002, the project was upgraded from 48 MW to 51.2 MW.[5]
Project
The Chenkulam Project was intended to use the tailrace water of the Pallivasal project. The dam is constructed of masonry. The power house is situated at Vellathooval in Devikulam taluk.[2] The water collected is conveyed through a penstock pipe to the Chenkulam powerhouse in Vellathooval, which generates 51.2 MW of electricity using four 12.8 MW turbines.[2] Annual production is 182 MU.[5] Taluks receiving release flow are Udumbanchola, Devikulam, Idukki, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.[1]
Reservoirs
Chenkulam reservoir formed behind the dam. The catchment area of the reservoir is approximately 5.18 km2 (2.00 sq mi).[2] The tailrace discharge joins Mudirapuzha river and flows downstream to Kallarkutty reservoir.
Specifications
- Release from dam to river: Sengulam Ar
- Classification: MH (Medium Height)
- Maximum Water Level (MWL): EL 849.49 m
- Full Reservoir Level (FRL): EL 847.65 m
- Storage at FRL: 0.71 Mm3
- Height from deepest foundation : 26.84 m
- Length : 143.26 m [1]
References
- "SENGULAM DAM – KSEB Limted Dam Safety Organisation". Retrieved 2021-07-24.
- "Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Mudirappuzha Basin Hydro Projects". www.kseb.in. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
- "Hydro_electric_projects_in_kerala". indiawris.gov.in.
- "Dams in West flowing rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari Basin". indiawris.gov.in.
- "15 Dams in Idukki district, Kerala". Travel Beats. 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2023-07-04.