Chimmini Dam

2025-07-28T15:32:13Z

178.248.116.55:

{{Short description|Dam in Thrissur District, Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Chimmini Dam
| name_official = Chimmini Dam
| image =
| image_caption = Front view of Chimmini Dam
| location_map = India#India Kerala
| location_map_size =
| location_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|10.4391|76.4604|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Thrissur District]], [[Kerala]]
| construction_began =
| opening = 1996
| operator = Government of [[Kerala]]
| dam_crosses =
| dam_length =
| dam_width_base =
| res_name = Chimmini River
| res_capacity_total =
| res_catchment =
| res_surface =
| dam_height =
}}

'''Chimmini Dam''' is situated in Echippara in [[Chalakudy taluk]] of [[Thrissur District]] of [[Kerala]] state of [[India]]. It is constructed across [[Kurumali River|Kurumali river]], a tributary of the [[Karuvannoor|Karuvannur]] river.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irrigation.kerala.gov.in/pjt_&_pgm/Chimmini.php|title=Chimmini Dam project |publisher=Dept of Irrigation|access-date=2010-04-14}}</ref> Chimmini is the largest dam of [[Thrissur]] district. The Chimminy Wild Life Sanctuary is located close to the dam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chimmini dam and wildlife sanctuary in Thrissur|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/chimmini-thrissur/57|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Kerala Tourism|language=en}}</ref> Construction of the 495-metre masonry and 686-metre earthen dam started in 1975 and it was completed in 1996. Total cost of the project was Rs 59.71 crore although the cost of construction of the dam was initially estimated at Rs 36.15 crore.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chimmini dam cement usage baffles officials|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2010/jun/10/chimmini-dam-cement-usage-baffles-officials-122297.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723140351/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2010/jun/10/chimmini-dam-cement-usage-baffles-officials-122297.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 July 2021|access-date=2021-07-23|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

The reservoir attract tourists and there are coracles ride available at the reservoir.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coracle rides to woo tourists at Chimmini reservoir in Thrissur|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/travel/kerala/coracle-rides-to-woo-tourists-at-chimmini-reservoir-in-thrissur-1.4480787|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref> The dam was commissioned in 1996. One uniqueness about this dam is the absence of canal system. The water contained in the reservoir is made available to the Kole fields and paddy fields by means of the river and the existing canal system through a regulator. No artificial canal system was set up for this purpose.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary (Timings, Entry Fee & Safari) - Kerala Tourism 2021|url=https://keralatourism.travel/chimmony-wildlife-sanctuary|access-date=2021-07-23|website=keralatourism.travel}}</ref>

Many different streams reach the Chimmini reservoir . The Chimmini Dam and the reservoir share borders with Mangalam Dam and the Parambikkulam Wildlife Reserve.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ആനകളെ കാണും വഴി, രണ്ടു ഡാമുകൾ, സിറ്റിയിൽനിന്ന് ഒരുമണിക്കൂർ അകലെ മാത്രം|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/travel/travel-in-wild/2020/03/06/chimmini-dam-and-wildlife-sanctuary.html|access-date=2021-07-23|website=ManoramaOnline|language=ml}}</ref> The Chimmini catchment area is spread over a 10 square kilometre area within an area of 85 square kilometre which is declared as a reserve forest in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visit these picturesque dams within an hour from Thrissur|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2020/03/13/picturesque-dam-thrissur-in-an-hour.html|access-date=2021-07-23|website=OnManorama}}</ref> Established in 1984, the Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary is situated contiguous with the Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary and spreads around 85.067 square kilometers. There is Bamboo Rafting, birding trail, butterfly safari, Jungle craft and animal tracking etc. for the tourists.

==Hydroelectric project==
Chimmini Small Hydro Electric project envisages the usage of water from the Chimminy water which is primarily for irrigation purposes. The water first flows through a penstock system which is 30 meters in length to a Power station with a turbine of 2.5 Megawatt capacity. After the power generation the water is made available for irrigation purposes and flows to a canal system. It produces 6.7 Million units of electricity annually. The power is then fed to a substation at Puthukkad.

[[File:Chimmini-dam-reservoir.jpg|thumb|center|700px|A panoramic view of Chimmini dam reservoir]]

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMX1IBq0sA4 KSEB Telefilm on Chimmini hydroelectric project]

==References==
{{reflist}}
* [http://keralaphotos.in/2013/02/kerala-tourism-photos-chimmini-dam-thrissur-pictures/ Bamboo Rafting in Chimmini Dam]

{{commons category|Chimmony Dam}}

{{Tourist attractions in Thrissur}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}
{{Dams in Kerala}}

[[Category:Dams completed in 1996]]
[[Category:Dams in Thrissur district]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]

IndianPedia - User contributions [en]

Chimmini Dam