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
Chenkulam Dam is located in Kerala
Chenkulam Dam
Location of Chenkulam Dam in Kerala
Chenkulam Dam is located in India
Chenkulam Dam
Chenkulam Dam (India)
Official nameSengulam Dam
CountryIndia
LocationIdukki, Kerala
Coordinates10°00′39″N 77°01′57″E / 10.01083°N 77.03250°E / 10.01083; 77.03250
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening date1957 (67 years ago) (1957)
Owner(s)Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsMuthirapuzha river
Height (foundation)26.82 m (88.0 ft)
Length143.26 m (470.0 ft)
Elevation at crest847.65 m (2,781.0 ft)
Width (crest)4.88 m (16.0 ft)
Dam volume18.4 TCM
Spillways3
Spillway typeOgee, ungated – overflow section 4.8 × 1.8 m
Spillway capacity70.8 m3/sec
Reservoir
CreatesChenkulam Reservoir
Active capacity0.3903 MCM
Inactive capacity846 m (2,776 ft)
Catchment area5.18 km2 (2.00 sq mi)
Surface area0.29 km2 (0.11 sq mi)
Maximum water depth849.49 m (2,787.0 ft)
Normal elevation847.65 m (2,781.0 ft)
Sengulam Power Station
Coordinates9°58′33″N 77°01′50″E / 9.97583°N 77.03056°E / 9.97583; 77.03056
Operator(s)Kerala State Electricity Board
Commission date1954 (70 years ago) (1954)
Turbines4 × 12.8 MW, Pelton-type
Installed capacity51.25 MW
Annual generation182 MU
Website
Official website

History

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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

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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

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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

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  • 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

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  1. ^ a b c d "Sengulam Dam – KSEB Limited Dam Safety Organisation". Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  2. ^ a b c d "Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Mudirappuzha Basin Hydro Projects". www.kseb.in. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  3. ^ "Hydro_electric_projects_in_kerala". indiawris.gov.in.
  4. ^ "Dams in West flowing rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari Basin". indiawris.gov.in.
  5. ^ a b "15 Dams in Idukki district, Kerala". Travel Beats. 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2023-07-04.