BHAVANISAGAR DAM IN SATHY
BHAVANISAGAR DAM IN SATHY
A brief note on Bhavanisagar Dam
Bhavanisagar Dam is one of the largest earthen dam in the World (First biggest earthen dam is located in Russia ). The dam is considered to be among the biggest earthen dams in the country. Bhavanisagar dam is constructed on Bhavani River, which is merely under the union of Moyar River. It was built after India got its independence. The dam is used to divert water to the Lower Bhavani Project Canal. Bhavanisagar Dam and Its Reservoir is also called Lower Bhavani Dam. The Lower Bhavani Project was the first major irrigation project initiated in India after independence in 1947 and was in full operation by 1956. The dam feeds the Lower Bhavani Project Canal and is the second-largest dam in Tamil Nadu.
How to reach Bhavanisagar Dam?
The Bhavanisagar Dam and Reservoir is located between Mettupalayam and Sathyamangalam in Erode District, Tamil Nadu, South India. The dam is situated some 16 km (9.9 mi) west to Sathyamangalam and 35 km (22 mi) from Gobichettipalayam, 36 km (22 mi) north-east to Mettupalayam and 70 km (43 mi) from Erode and 75 km (47 mi) from Coimbatore.
What are the constructional details of Bhavanisagar Dam?
The length of the earthen bund itself runs into 8 Kms and it is the LONGEST MASONRY DAM in the world. from Zero Point. The Dam was constructed at the time of the post-independent period from 1948 to 1955. The construction cost of the dam was 21.00 Crores. It is a Multi-Purpose Dam. It is also used to store water for irrigation, generate electricity and supply drinking water. It is also helpful in controlling floods and controlling the silt formation in the downstream river. It forms the tail end of the long river chain on the eastern side of the Western Ghats in Nilgiris. Average discharge from the dam is 1000 Cu Secs.
The Ayacut was thrown open to irrigation from 1952 onwards. The project commands an area of 80,000.00 Hectares at 1,97,600.00 Acres so that is around 2.00 Lakh Acres. This Dam houses two Hydel Power Stations. One Power Station is located on the East Bank Canal and the other on the main Bhavani River. Each of the Units has 16 MW installed capacity. Around 32 MW of power is generated throughout the year.
A short profile of Bhavanisagar Dam
- Height: 105 ft
- Length: 1700 meters
- Type: Earthen dam
- River: Bhavani River
- Location: Tamil Nadu
- Installed capacity: 1,920 MW
- FRL in MCFT: 32800
- Opening Date of Reservoir for Irrigation – India: April 15 & Aug 15
How is the water sourced to Bhavanisagar Dam?
The Dam receives water through Southwest Monsoon from two main streams, catchment areas from the Western Ghats. One stream is from Upper Bhavani, Avalanche, Emerald, Kundha, Gedhai, Pillur, Nellithurai and Lower Bhavani ( Bhavanisagar). The other stream called as Western Catchment starts from Portimund, Parson’s Valley, Pykara, Glenmorgan, Chinkara, Maravakandy, Moyar, Thengumarahatta and Lower Bhavani (Bhavanisagar). Bhavani Sagar dam is constructed on Bhavani River, which is merely under the union of Moyar River. The dam is used to divert water to the Lower Bhavani Project Canal.
Bhavanisagar dam supplies water to two canals,
- Arakkan Kottai
- Thadampalli
Bhavanisagar Reservoir comprises,
- Lower Bhavani Power House,
- Lower Bhavani Major Irrigation Project,
- Lower Bhavani RBC Power House.
Tourist spot & Picnic spot
There is a garden in front of this dam, which makes it a good picnic spot in this area. There are a few things that children love to play with like swings, etc. A nice picnic spot for spending a day is the small closed channel for boating. Children’s can greatly enjoy at the time of the visit. This park is specially made only to engage the children. The park is cleanly kept under perfect maintenance and it gives great comfort to kids.
Danayakkan Kottai Temple
Danayakkan Kottai temple is suited inside the Bhavanisagar dam. If the water dries out, You can eventually view the temple. The centre of The God is Lord Siva. It’s an Antique and Historical Temple in Bhavanisagar Town Panchayat.
Attractive Places & Its Importance Around Bhavanisagar
Bhavanisagar Townpanchayat is located very nearer to the foot of the Thalavadi hills. A famous Temple “Bannari Amman Temple” is located at a distance of about 18kms north from Bhavanisagar. “Thengumarhada” a tiny village in the Nilgiris District, known for its Co-Operative Farming and Wildlife Sanctuary for Black Bucks situated 33 Kms. away from Bhavanisagar. Ooty is at a distance of about 60 Kms from Bhavanisagar via Mettupalayam.
Coimbatore the industrial town is at a distance of 72 Kms from Bhavanisagar. Erode the town known for its handloom textiles and Turmeric Market is at a distance of 80 Kms from Bhavanisagar. Thottampalayam a small village famous for its production of handloom silk sarees locally known as “Kora Pattu” is at a distance of about 5 Kms from Bhavanisagar. The tiger reserve forest is situated in Sathyamangalam which is around 20 km. Bannari Amman Institute of Technology is also located at a distance of 20kms from the Bhavanisagar Dam.
