Pamba Dam

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Pamba Dam
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Location of Pamba Dam in Kerala
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Pamba Dam (India)
Country India
Location Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Coordinates 9°23′26″N77°09′35″E / 9.3906°N 77.1598°E / 9.3906; 77.1598
Purpose Power
StatusOperational
Opening date1967(57 years ago) (1967)
Owner(s) Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Gravity dam
Impounds Pamba river
Height (foundation)57.2 m (188 ft)
Length281.48 m (923.5 ft)
Elevation at crest981.46 m (3,220.0 ft)
Spillways 6 nos, radial gates, each of size 7.0 x 4.87 m
Spillway capacity912 m3/s (32,200 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
CreatesPamba Reservoir
Total capacity39,220,000 m3 (1.385×109 cu ft)
Catchment area 90.88 km2 (35.09 sq mi)
Maximum water depth986.33 m (3,236.0 ft)
Normal elevation986.33 m (3,236.0 ft)
Sabarigiri Power Station
Coordinates 9°18′36″N77°04′22″E / 9.31000°N 77.07278°E / 9.31000; 77.07278
Operator(s)Kerala State Electricity Board
Commission date1967(57 years ago) (1967)
Turbines 2 x 60 MW & 4 x 55 MW (Pelton-type)
Installed capacity 340 MW
Annual generation 1338 MU
Website
Official website

Pamba Dam is a gravity dam built on the Pamba river in the Ranni forest area of Seethathodu panchayat in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. [1] It was built in 1967 as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project. Sabarigiri Hydro Electric Project (IHEP) is the second largest hydro electric project in Kerala. [2] Pamba dam's reservoir is connected to the nearby Kakki dam's reservoir by a 3.21 km (1.99 mi) long underground tunnel. The dam is 281 m (922 ft) long and 57.2 m (188 ft) high and is located at an elevation of 981.45 m (3,220.0 ft) above sea level. The dam is located in a forest area adjacent to the Periyar National Park. The water stored in the Pamba and Kakki dams is conveyed to the Sabarigiri powerhouse through penstock pipes. The dam was commissioned in 1967. [3]

Contents

History

The Project plan was to create a reservoir by impounding Pampa River and another reservoir by impounding Kakki River and connecting both the reservoirs by means of a tunnel to form a connected reservoir. Preliminary work and investigation were done in 1958, and the dam construction was started in 1960. Masonry work started in 1961. Completion of dam as per the 1960 schedule was in 1964. Actual completion of the total project was in 1967. [4] Tools and plants, both indigenous and imported, were used in the construction of the Pamba dam. Natural sand was not available in the nearest localities and hence, except in the case of power house, crushed sand was used. For this purpose, eight crushing and screening plants were installed. As a trial and error, 10 to 20 per cent river sand was mixed with the crushed sand to bring the fineness modulus, but the improvement was not good enough. So, new screens were built and fitted. Due to river diversion problems, difficulties related to excavation in the river bed was delayed. Because of that, the progress of masonry construction was below the target. Sand was collected from the upstream and downstream of the river, then was washed and used until the crushers came into operation.

Cement for the dam came from Thulukkapatty in Tamil Nadu and the main storage of cement was at Theni, from where the cement was transported to the dam site and kept in the departmental cement store. [5]

Excavation for the dam

It was assumed that there will not be much excavation to be done. But in reality this had increased much and a quantity of 4,92,000 cubic feet of earth work excavation had to be done for the dam foundation. Disintegrated rock and boulders had to be removed and foundation taken to deeper levels. Machineries could not be used and manual labor had to be used.

River bed excavation and coffer dam

To take up the excavation in the river bed, a masonry coffer dam was constructed. The top width of the 285 dam was 2 feet to 2.5 feet and the maximum height was 20 feet.

Concrete foundation and spill way

It was originally proposed to be constructed with cement mortar blended with 20 per cent surki. But after finding from laboratory tests that sufficient strength had not been achieved by using surki, Cement was used instead of surki.

Dam Features

Reservoir

Pamba Reservoir Misty Pamba Dam @ Gavi - panoramio.jpg
Pamba Reservoir

This reservoir is formed by the Pamda dam constructed across Pamba river. [7] The water from this reservoir is flowing to the Kakki reservoir through an underground tunnel of length 3.21 km. Water Spread Area /Catchment Area is 90.88 Sq. km. Average Rainfall is 4572 mm. Full Reservoir Level (FRL) is 3236 Ft (Above MSL), Minimum Drawdown level (MDDL) is 3160 Ft (Above MSL) and Effective Storage at FRL is 31.45 MCM

Sabarigiri Hydroelectric project

Sabarigiri Hydro Electric Project is the second largest hydro electric project in Kerala. This Indo American project [8] was commissioned in 1966 with an installed capacity of 300 MW. In 2005 to 2009, The capacity was increased to 340 MW. [9] The Power Station was commissioned during 1966 -67 with six generators having vertical shaft pelton turbine as the prime mover. After power generation, water from the power station is released to the Moozhiyar reservoir [10] The Pamba Irrigation scheme in Pattanamthitta district is aimed at the utilization of the tail race water of Sabarigiri Hydro Electric project for irrigation purposes. [11]

Tourism

It is one of the tourist spots around Pampa river. The place offers some of the eco tourism activities like boat ride, jeep safari and Sabarimala view. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kakki Reservoir</span> Dam in Pathanamthitta, Kerala

Kakki Reservoir is a reservoir, located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The lake, which was created when Kakki Dam and Anathode dam were built, is on one of the tributaries of Pamba, the Kakki tributary. The dams were built in 1966 as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric project. Full reservoir level (FRL) is 981.45 meters above sea level according to the operators of the "twin" reservoirs, the Kerala State Electricity Board. The reservoir, which is also a tourist spot, is nestled in the Ranni reserve forest, very close to the Western Ghats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kulamavu Dam</span> Dam in Idukki, Kerala

Kulamavu Dam is a gravity/masonry dam on Kilivillithode, which is a tributary of the Periyar river in Arakkulam village, Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of three dams associated with the Idukki hydroelectric power project in the Indian state of Kerala. This dam is located towards the western side of the Idukki Arch Dam. This is a gravity dam with the top portion in concrete and the bottom in masonry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kakki dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

Kakki Dam is a concrete gravity dam built on the Kakki river, a tributary of the Pampa river in the Ranni forest in the Seethathodu panchayat of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. The dam is located in a forested area adjacent to the Periyar National Park. It was built in 1966 as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project. The water sources of the dam are from the Pampa dam and the Kakki river. The Sabarigiri project envisaged creation of two reservoirs which are Pamba and Kakki reservoirs and connecting these together to form a single source of water. The water from Pamba reservoir is connected to the Kakki reservoir through an underground tunnel of length 3.21 km. The intake of the Sabarigiri Powerhouse is from Kakki reservoir. The dam is 336 metres (1,102 ft) long and 116 metres (381 ft) high and is located at an elevation of 981.45 metres (3,220.0 ft) above sea level. The release flows through Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally taluks before emptying into the Vembanad lake.

Azhutha Dam is a small diversion dam built on the Azhutha River which is a tributary of the Pamba River, at Azhutha in Peerumed Grama Panchayat of Idukki District, Kerala, India. It is a small concrete gravity dam that is only 72 metres (236 ft) long and 14 metres (46 ft) high. It acts mainly as a diversion dam to supply water to the Idukki Dam. The Azhutha Dam was constructed as an augmentation dam for the Idukki Hydro Electric Project. Construction of the project started in 1987 and was expected to be commissioned in 1991, but the project overrun and was only partially commissioned in June 1998. The year of completion was 2007. The release of the water from the dam is to Azhutha river and it flows through Ranni and Ayroor taluks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kallar Dam</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Kallar Dam is a small, diversion dam constructed at Perinjamkutty river in Nedumkandam grama panchayat of Idukki district, Kerala, India. It acts mainly as a diversion dam to supply water to the Idukki dam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moozhiyar Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

Moozhiyar Dam is a gravity dam located close to Kakki reservoir in Seethathodu panchayath of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. The Kakkad Hydroelectric Project is powered by water from the dam. The water level is set at 192.5 meters. KSEB is responsible for the maintenance of the dam and other ancillary works. The Kakkad Hydroelectric Project generates 50 MW of electricity using 2 turbines of 25 MW each year. The annual output is 262 MU. The machine was commissioned on 16 September 1999. Kakkad Hydro electric Project is the second stage development of Pamba river basin. The installed capacity is 50 MW. This scheme utilises the tail race water from Sabarigiri power station and flow received from Moozhiyar and Velluthode rivers. Two dams feed water to the powerhouse. The Moozhiyar Dam creates the main reservoir of this project. Taluks through which release flow are Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kundala Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

Kundala Dam, also known as Setuparvatipuram Dam, is a masonry gravity dam built on Muthirapuzha River in Mattupetty panchayat of Idukki district in Kerala, India. It is part of the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project, the first hydroelectric project in Kerala. The dam is considered to be Asia's first arch dam. It has a height of 46.93 m (154.0 ft) and length of 259.38 m (851.0 ft). Release from dam is to river Palar and taluks through which release flow are Udumbanchola, Devikulam, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chenkulam Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

Chenkulam Dam is a gravity dam located on the Muthirapuzha river in Vellathooval panchayat of Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It spans 144.50 metres (474.1 ft) long and stands 26.82 metres (88.0 ft). It hosts a 48 MW power plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kullar Dam</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Kullar Dam is a small, flanking dam which impounds Kullar river in Seethathodu village of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. The dam was built as a part of Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project. The release from the dam flows to Pamba river and from there, it flows through Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally taluks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anathode Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

Anathode Dam is a flanking dam of masonry gravity type situated in Sethathode panchayath of Seethathode village in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. This dam is constructed on Anathode river which is a tributary of Pamba river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veluthodu Dam</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Veluthodu dam is a part of Kakkad Hydro Electric Project and is located in Seethathode panchayath of Ranni Taluk in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, India. It's a Concrete-Gravity dam built across the Veluthodu river, a tributary of Kakkad River which is again a tributary of Pamba River. The dam is built primarily for electricity. This diversion dam diverts water to the water conductor system from Moozhiyar reservoir to Kakkad Power Station. This power station utilises the tail race water from Sabarigiri power station and flow received from moozhiyar and velluthode rivers. After power generation, water from Kakkad power station is released to the Kakkad River. Taluks through which release flow are Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally. It is operated by Kerala State Electricity Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. A. Headworks</span> A diversion dam in Kerala, India

R. A. Headworks or Ramaswamy Aiyar Headworks is a masonry type weir situated in Munnar panchayath of Munnar village in Idukki district of Kerala, India impounding mudirapuzha river. It is also called as Munnar Headworks. It is a part of Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project, the first hydro power project of Kerala State. There are two dams and one diversion weir as part of this project. These are Kundala Dam, Maduppetty Dam and R. A. Head works.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perunthenaruvi Weir</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Perunthenaruvi Weir is a diversion dam built across Pamba river at villages of Naranammoozhy and Vechoochira in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, India. Perumthenaruvi Small Hydroelectric Project 6 MW (2×3) is a run-of-the-river scheme in river Pamba, and the weir is a part of this scheme. This envisages the utilization of water from 442 km2 (171 sq mi) catchment of Pamba and Azhutha river for electricity generation under a net head of 18.00 m. The power house is located on the left bank of Pamba river. The weir is a concrete gravity type with a height of 10.93 metres (35.9 ft) and a length of 227.50 metres (746.4 ft). Taluks through which the release flow are Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavi Dam</span> Dam in Kerala

Gavi Dam or Gaviar Dam is a small, gravity dam constructed as a part of Sabarigiri hydro electric project on Gaviyar, which is a tributary of Pamba river at Seethathode village in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. Taluks through which release flow are Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kochu Pamba Weir</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Kochu Pamba Weir is a diversion dam constructed across Pamba river in Seethathode village of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. It is one of the five dams which are parts of Sabarigiri HydroElectric Project. These are Pamba dam, Kakki dam, Anathode dam, Gavi dam and Kochu Pamba weir Sabarigiri Hydro Electric Project is the second largest hydro electric project of Kerala and is located in Pathanamthitta district. This weir is constructed as a part of Sabarigiri Augmentation Scheme. Water from this reservoir is pumped in to the Pamba reservoir through a pump house located at the downstream of Pamba dam. Taluks through which release flow are Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meenar-1 Dam</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Meenar-1 Dam is a concrete, gravity dam constructed across Meenar river in Seethathodu village of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. It is a diversion dam built as a part of Sabarigiri hydro electric project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meenar-2 Dam</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Meenar-2 Dam is a concrete, gravity type of dam constructed across the Meenar river which is a tributary of Pamba river in Seethathodu village of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. This dam is constructed as a part of Sabaigiri Augmentation Scheme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Moozhiyar Dam</span> A diversion dam in Kerala, India

The Upper Moozhiyar Dam is an earthen dam constructed across the Moozhiyar River in the village of Seethathodu in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. This dam was constructed as a part of the Sabarigiri Augmentation Scheme. The stream is located on the southern side of the Kakki reservoir. It is an embankment structure. The Sabarigiri Hydro Electric Project is the second largest hydroelectric project of Kerala and is located in Pathanamthitta district. The dam was constructed to divert the upper reaches of the Moozhiyar River, a tributary of the Pamba River, to the Kakki–Anathode reservoir through a tunnel. The surplus over the storage flows over the rock-cut spillway to the Moozhiyar River. Taluks through which the release flows are Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara, and Karthikappally. The nearest city is Vandiperiyar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranni-Perinad Weir</span> A diversion dam in Kerala, India

Ranni-Perinad Weir is a diversion dam built in Kakkad river which is a tributary of Pamba River at Mampara in Ranni-Perinad villages of Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The weir is a concrete-gravity type and is a part of Ranni – Perinad Small Hydro Electric Project, a run off the river scheme in Kakkad river in Pamba basin. It envisages the development of power by utilizing the tail race water from the Maniyar Power house, with installed capacity of 4.0 MW. The release of the water from the dam is to Kakkad river which in turn flows and joins Pamba river and flows through Taluks such as Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanadu, Mavelikara and Karthikappally. The dam is also a part of Ranni-Perinad Water supply scheme.

Adyanpara Weir is a small diversion dam constructed across Kanjirapuzha River at Adyanpara in Chaliyar panchayath of Kurumbalangode village in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. This weir is a part of Adyanpara SHEP, which envisages development of power by utilizing the potential of Kanjirapuzha stream, a tributary of Chaliyar river. It consist of a diversion weir, desilting chamber of splay type, power tunnel of length 968.50m, an underground surge tank in circular shape. The 3.5 megawatt hydroelectric project has been setup as part of the Small Hydro Electric Project. The water from the weir flows to Kanjirapuzha through the Taluk of Nilambur. The dam is a concrete-gravity type dam with a height of 5.56 metres (18.2 ft) and a length of 58 metres (190 ft).

References

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  3. Liji, Samuel; Prasad, Dr. A.K. (September 2018). "Hydro Electric Power Dams in Kerala and Environmental Consequences from Socio-Economic Perspectives" (PDF). International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews. 5 (3).
  4. .Technical Completion Report (1977), Sabarigiri HEP, KSEB, Trivandrum, Vol.1
  5. Thomas, Baby (November 1994). "TIME-LAG AND COST OVERRUN OF INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO POWER PROJECTS IN KERALA" (PDF). dyuthi.cusat.ac.in. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
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  7. "Pampa Reservoir Project". irrigationap.cgg.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  8. Project Sabarigiri , retrieved 2021-07-25
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  10. "Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Kerala State Electricity Board Limited". www.kseb.in. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  11. "Pamba Scheme". irrigation.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  12. "Pamba Reservoir at Gavi | Gavi Eco tourism | Eco tourism programmes in Kerala | Trekking packages Kerala". www.keralatourism.org. Retrieved 2021-07-21.