Banasura Sagar Dam
Banasura Sagar Dam, which impounds the Karamanathodu tributary of the Kabini River, is part of the Indian Banasurasagar Project consisting of a dam and a canal project started in 1979. The goal of the project is to support the Kakkayam Hydro electric power project and satisfy the demand for irrigation and drinking water in a region known to have water shortages in seasonal dry periods. The dam is also known as Kuttiyadi Augmentation Main Earthen Dam. The dam has a height of 38.5 metres (126 ft) and length of 685 metres (2,247 ft).
| Banasura Sagar Dam | |
|---|---|
Banasura Sagar Main Earthfill Dam | |
| Country | India |
| Location | Wayanad, Kerala |
| Coordinates | 11°40′12″N 75°57′28″E |
| Purpose | Multi-purpose |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 2004 |
| Owner(s) | Kerala State Electricity Board |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Tributary of the Kabini River |
| Height (foundation) | 38.5 m (126 ft) |
| Length | 685.0 m (2,247 ft) |
| Spillways | Nil |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Banasurasagar Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 209,250,000 m3 (169,642 acre⋅ft) |
| Catchment area | 61.44 km2 (24 sq mi) |
| Normal elevation | 775.60 m (2,545 ft) |
| Power Station | |
| Installed capacity | 231.75 MW |
In the dam's reservoir there is a set of islands that were formed when the reservoir submerged the surrounding areas. The islands with the Banasura hills are in the background view. It is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest of its kind in Asia. The dam is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders.
The Kuttiyadi Augmentation Scheme consists of a main dam known as Banasurasagar Dam, an earth fill dam and a concrete gravity spillway dam and six saddle dams namely, a) Kosani ( Earth fill dam) 13.8 m high b) Near Kottagiri ( Earth fill dam) 11.0 m high c) Kottagiri ( Earth fill dam) 14.5 m high d) Kuttiyadi ( Concrete dam) 16.5 m high e) Nayanmoola ( Earth fill dam) 3.5 m high f) Manjoora ( Earth fill dam) 4.0 m high. All the dams, except Kuttiady saddle, are earth fill dams. The Kuttiyadi saddle dam is a concrete dam. The spillway is located adjacent to the main dam at the right bank of the original river course. The water spread area at FRL / MWL is 12.77 km2. The catchment area of Banasurasagar Dam is 61.44 km2.