Bogdansry at 16:15, 10 March 2026

2026-03-10T16:15:52Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Kanjirapuzha Dam
| image = Kanjirapuzha Dam - കാഞ്ഞിരപ്പുഴ അണക്കെട്ട് 05.JPG
| image_caption = Kanjirapuzha Dam
| name_official =
| dam_crosses = Kakki tributary
| res_name = Kanjirapuzha
| location = Mannarkkad, Palakkad District, Kerala, India
| operator = Irrigation Department
| dam_length = {{Convert|2127|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = {{Convert|30.78|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_base =
| construction_began = 1961
| opening = 1995
| cost =
| res_capacity_total = 70.83 MCM
| res_catchment = {{Convert|7000|ha}}
| res_surface = {{Convert|465|ha}}
| res_elevation = {{convert|97.54|m|abbr=on}}
| plant_turbines =
| plant_capacity =
| plant_annual_gen =
| location_map = India#India Kerala
| coordinates = {{Coord|10|59|9|N|76|32|18|E|region:IN-KL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| extra =
| website =
}}

The '''Kanjirapuzha Dam''', a masonry earth dam built for providing irrigation to a Cultural Command Area (CCA) of {{Convert|9713|ha}}, is located in the [[Palakkad district]] in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Kerala]].<ref name=water>{{Cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Kanhira_Puzha%28Id%29_Dam_D03027|title= Salient Features of Kanhira Puzha (Id) Dam|accessdate=14 May 2016|publisher=Water Resources Information System of India, Government of India}}</ref> The reservoir, which has three islands within it, also has an established commercial fisheries development programme operated by the Fisheries Department.<ref name=Kanji>{{cite web|url=http://palakkad.nic.in/tourism.htm|title=Places Of Tourist Interest|accessdate=14 May 2016|publisher=National Informatics Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510202454/http://palakkad.nic.in/tourism.htm|archive-date=10 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Construction of the dam, including the irrigation system, was started in 1961 at an initial cost of [[Indian rupee|Rs.]] 3.65 crores (1954 price level) which was revised to Rs. 101.19 crores (1970 price level). The irrigation command was partially developed in 1980 with a total CCA of {{Convert|8465|ha}}. To complete the irrigation development in the entire command a new scheme titled "Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) Irrigation Project" under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) initiated by the [[Prime Minister of India]], was approved by the [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] in the year 2008 for an estimated cost of Rs 30.0 crore, to cover balance CCA of 1,247 hectare.<ref name=Irrigation>{{Cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Kanhirapuzha_Major_Irrigation_Project_JI02675|title=Kanhirapuzha Major Irrigation Project JI02675|accessdate=14 May 2016|publisher=Water Resources Information System of India, Government of India }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Shiruvani Hills - panoramio (4).jpg|left|thumb|Vadakodan Mala Kanjirapuzha Dam]]
The Kanjirapuzhan Dam is located on the [[Kanjirappuzha (Mannarkkad)|Kanjirapuzha River]], a tributary of the [[Thuthapuzha|Thuthapuzha River]], which itself joins the [[Bharatapuzha River]], a part of the west-flowing rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari. The dam has a catchment area of {{Convert|7000|ha}}, which lies entirely within the state boundary.<ref name=water/><ref name=Irrigation/> The densely-covered green forest area of the catchment is called the "Vettilachola".<ref name=Kanji/>

[[Mannarkkad]], the nearest town to the site of the dam, is {{Convert|13|km}} away and [[Palakkad]] is {{Convert|43|km}} away.<ref name=water/><ref name=Irrigation/> It is built near to [[Agali Hills]]. Vaakkodan mala is another tourist spot.

==Features==
The project involving an earth masonry dam and irrigation canal system envisages benefits of irrigation to a gross command area of {{Convert|9713|ha}} in the three districts of Palakkad, Mannarkkad and Ottappalam. Commercial fisheries and development of tourism by constructing a garden around the dam are also part of the project.<ref name=Irrigation/>

===Dam===
[[File:Kanjirapuzha dam 2.JPG|thumb|The spillway of the dam]]
The irrigation project's head works consists of an earth masonry dam of {{Convert|2128|m}} length with the earthen section extending over a total length of {{Convert|1896|m}}. The masonry part of this composite dam is {{Convert|231.60|m}} in length including the spillway {{Convert|36.6|m}} in length, has a maximum height of {{Convert|30.78|m}} above the deepest foundation level. The spillway, which is an Ogee shaped structure, and is designed for passing a flood discharge of {{Convert|512.5|m3}} per second and operated with three gates of {{Convert|12.20|x|4.574|m}} size fitted over a crest level of EL {{Convert|92.5|m}}. The total quantity of material used in the dam is 6,240 TMC. The design of the dam takes into account the seismic factors relevant to Seismic Zone-III. The construction work of the dam was started in 1961 and completed in 1980.<ref name=water/>

===Reservoir===
[[File:കാഞ്ഞിരപ്പുഴഡാം.jpg|thumb|Reservoir water spread]]
The reservoir created behind the dam has a gross storage capacity of 70.83 million cubic meter at a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of EL 97.54 m. The live storage between the FRL and Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) of EL 77.42 m is 69.23 million cubic meter. The Dead Storage in the reservoir is 11.32 million cubic meter. The area of submergence behind the dam is {{Convert|465|ha}}. The reservoir caused a submergence of one village resulting in the relocation of 44 [[Scheduled Tribe|tribal community families]].<ref name=water/><ref name=Irrigation/>

===Irrigation development===
Irrigation development under the project envisaged a Culturable Command Area of {{Convert|9713|ha}} covering three districts; an annual irrigation efficiency of 225% was also envisaged to provide irrigation to {{Convert|21853|ha}}. Two main canal systems, one on the left bank and the other on the right bank, draw water from the reservoir. The main Right Bank Canal is {{Convert|9.36|km}} long and is designed to carry a discharge of {{Convert|2.83|m3}} per sec to bring an area of {{Convert|1525|ha}} (CCA) under its command. The main Left Bank Canal extends over a length of {{Convert|61.71|km}}, has a carrying capacity of {{Convert|11.33|m3}} per second to provide irrigate benefits to an area of {{Convert|8187|ha}} (CCA). When the project was partially commissioned in 1980 and the total CCA developed was {{Convert|8465|ha}} and with an annual irrigation efficiency of 225% irrigation was provided to cover {{Convert|19051|ha}}.<ref name=Irrigation/>

Under a revised ERM project started in 2008–09, the distribution system is being improved to save water and extend the irrigation benefits to the balance CCA of {{Convert|1247|ha}}.<ref name=Irrigation/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Dams in Kerala}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Kanjirapuzha Dam}}

{{Tourism in Kerala}}

[[Category:Reservoirs in Kerala]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1995]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Palakkad district]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]
[[Category:Dams in Palakkad district]]

Kanjirapuzha Dam - Revision history

Bogdansry at 16:15, 10 March 2026