Malampuzha Dam

Malampuzha Dam
Malampuzha Gardens
Location of Malampuzha Dam in India
Malampuzha Dam (Kerala)
Malampuzha Dam (Tamil Nadu)
Official name മലമ്പുഴ അണക്കെട്ട്
Location Palakkad District, Kerala
Coordinates 10°49′49.8″N 76°41′1.5″E / 10.830500°N 76.683750°E / 10.830500; 76.683750Coordinates: 10°49′49.8″N 76°41′1.5″E / 10.830500°N 76.683750°E / 10.830500; 76.683750
Construction began March 1949
Opening date 9 October 1955
Dam and spillways
Impounds Malampuzha river
Height 115.06 m
Length 2,069 m
Reservoir
Creates Malampuzha Reservoir
Total capacity 226 million cubic metres[1]
Catchment area 147.63 sq. km.

Malampuzha Dam is the largest reservoir in Kerala, located near Palakkad, in the state of Kerala in South India, built post independence by the then Madras state. Situated in the scenic hills of the Western Ghats in the background it is a combination of a masonry dam with a length of 1,849 metres and an earthen dam with a length of 220 metres.[2] The dam is 355 feet high and crosses the Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha, Kerala's second longest river. There is a network of two canal systems that serve the dam's reservoir of 42,090 hectares.[3]

Construction

The dam project was begun in 1949 and completed in 1955. foundation stone for the project was laid on 27 March 1949, by the then Public Works Minister of Madras State, Sri M. Bhaktavatsalam as Palakkad was a part of the Madras Presidency during those times. The dam was constructed in record time, and on October 9, 1955, the then Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, Sri. K Kamaraj, inaugurated the dam.The total catchments area is 145 square kilometres, while the reservoir has a capacity of 8000 cubic meters of water. The canal systems serve to irrigate farm land while the reservoir provides drinking water to Palakkad and surrounding villages.[3] The dam was constructed by Tamilnadu government but later the dam and Palakkad district belongs to Kerala state.

Location

10 km from Palakkad town, North Kerala. Attractions: Dam, amusement park, boating facilities, rock garden and ropeway.

Around the reservoir of the dam are gardens and amusement parks. Boating facilities are available on the lake.

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Palakkad Junction - 7 km [4]

Nearest airport: Coimbatore, 55 km from Malampuzha Dam [5]

Main Attractions

The fish shaped aquarium
  • Entrance Garden
  • Yakshi Garden
  • Japanese Garden
  • Upper Garden and viewpoint
  • Cable car ride
  • Fish shaped aquarium
  • Toy train for kids
  • Fantasy Park
  • Spiced fruits camp
  • Excellent Trekking tracks
  • River baths

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Malampuzha Dam, Brief about project". India-WRIS, National Remote Sensing Centre.
  2. ↑ "Malampuzha dam to celebrate Golden Jubilee". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2005-08-19. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
  3. 1 2 "About Malampuzha Dam".
  4. ↑ "How to Reach Malampuzha Dam".
  5. ↑ "Malampuzha Dam - Distance from Towns".
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