Dams

Chamera Dam
The Chamera Dam impounds the River Ravi and supports the hydroelectricity project in
the region. It is located near the town of Dalhousie, in the Chamba district in the state
of Himachal Pradesh in India. The reservoir of the dam is the Chamera Lake. Large part of
its reservoir lies in Salooni sub-division of Chamba.
After completion of the first phase 1994,[1] the Chamera-I generates 540 MW (3x180 MW)
of electricity. The second stage i.e. Chamera-II Dam generates 300 MW (3X100 MW) of
electricity. From year 2012, the 3rd stage i.e. Chamera III generates 231 MW (3x77) of
electricity.
The unique feature of the region is the fluctuating day and night temperature. The
temperature during the day near the dam rises up to 35 degrees Celsius and drops to a
minimum of 18 to 20 °C at night.
The water level in the Chamera Lake rises to a maximum of 763 meters while the
minimum water level is 747 meters.
The absence of aquatic life in the lake has made it an ideal location for water sports.
According to the plan developed by the tourism department, the lake shares the scope of
sports activities like rowing, motor boating, paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, angling and
kayaking. House boats and shikaras are also available. The government attempts to
provide all these facilities to the tourists.
Features
The catchment area of the dam is 472.5 km2. The reservoir has a live storage capacity of 110 MCM
and mean annual inflow of 1,273 BCM. Its FRL and MDDL are 760m and 747m.
The power house has 3 units of 180 MW each and has a firm power of 160MW
After the completion of Chamera Power Station Stage - II (3X100 MW) in the year 2003, the Chamera
Dam has been renamed Chamera Power Station Stage - I. The third stage of the Ravi Basin Projects
Chamera Stage - III (77X3 MW) is also completed and is under operation now. All the three stages of
Chamera are owned by NHPC Limited a company listed on the National Stock Exchange of India
(Code NHPC). The stage - I is a storage hydroelectric project while stage - II and III are run of the river
schemes.
Idukki Dam
The Idukki Dam is a double-curvature arch dam constructed across the Periyar River in a
narrow gorge between two granite hills locally known
as Kuravan and Kurathi in Idukki district in the state of Kerala, India. It is constructed and
owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a 780 MW hydroelectric power
station in Moolamattom, which started generating power on 4 October 1975.[1] At 168.91
metres (554.2 ft), it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. The Indo-Canadian project
was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on February 17, 1976.[2]
This dam was constructed along with two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu.
Together, the three dams and Two saddle dams, Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Near
Junction) and Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Right Bank) have created an artificial lake that is
60 km2 (23 sq mi) in area. The stored water is used to produce electricity at the
Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside nearby rocky caves.[3]
Narakakkanam, Azhutha, Vazhikkadavu, Vadakkepuzha and Kuttiar diversion schemes
were later added to augment the Idukki reservoir .
Idukki reservoir from Mount Calvary (dam beyond right edge)
History
Early surveys
The idea of constructing a dam for power generation was first conceived in 1919 in a
report submitted by Italian engineer Jacob to the Travancore government, which was
rejected. As per history, Shri Chemban Karuvellayan Kolumban,the head of 'Oorali' tribe
during 1922, showed the way to the Malankara Estate Superintendent W.J.John and his
friend AC Thomas Edattu, who were on hunting trip to forests near the present Arch Dam.
Upon hearing the legend of Kuravan and Kurathi Hills, Thomas impressed by the sight of
water flow between the mountains; suggested the spot suitable for an Arch dam.[4] In 1932,
W.J.John submitted a report to the Government of Travancore on the possibility of
constructing a dam at Idukki for Power Generation.[5] In 1935, assembly member
Shri.K.A.Narayana Pillai brought the Idukki project to the attention of Government
of Travancore. Italian engineers Angelo Omedayo and Clantheyo Masele conducted a
study in 1937 but things didn't go forward.
In 1947, a preliminary investigation report was prepared and submitted by Sri. P. Joseph
John, then The Chief Electrical Engineer to the Government of Travancore. It was during
1956 that the Central Water Commission conducted a detailed investigation based on the
Government's request. The project report was prepared in 1961 and the Planning
Commission accorded sanction for implementing the scheme in 1963. In 1964, under the
leadership of Sri. E.U.Philipose, Superintending Engineer, preliminary works of the project
were started.[citation needed]

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Chamera Dam

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