Chenkulam Dam

Chenkulam Dam is a gravity dam located on the Muthirapuzha river in Vellathooval panchayat of Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala.^[1] It spans 144.50 metres (474.1 ft) long and stands 26.82 metres (88.0 ft).^[1] It hosts a 48 MW power plant.^[2]

Chenkulam Dam
Location of Chenkulam Dam in Kerala Show map of Kerala Chenkulam Dam (India) Show map of India
Official name	Sengulam Dam
Country	India
Location	Idukki, Kerala
Coordinates	10°00′39″N 77°01′57″E
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Opening date	1957 (68 years ago) (1957)
Owner(s)	Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity dam
Impounds	Muthirapuzha river
Height (foundation)	26.82 m (88.0 ft)
Length	143.26 m (470.0 ft)
Elevation at crest	847.65 m (2,781.0 ft)
Width (crest)	4.88 m (16.0 ft)
Dam volume	18.4 TCM
Spillways	3
Spillway type	Ogee, ungated – overflow section 4.8 × 1.8 m
Spillway capacity	70.8 m3/sec
Reservoir
Creates	Chenkulam Reservoir
Active capacity	0.3903 MCM
Inactive capacity	846 m (2,776 ft)
Catchment area	5.18 km2 (2.00 sq mi)
Surface area	0.29 km2 (0.11 sq mi)
Maximum water depth	849.49 m (2,787.0 ft)
Normal elevation	847.65 m (2,781.0 ft)
Sengulam Power Station
Coordinates	9°58′33″N 77°01′50″E
Operator(s)	Kerala State Electricity Board
Commission date	1954 (71 years ago) (1954)
Turbines	4 × 12.8 MW, Pelton-type
Installed capacity	51.25 MW
Annual generation	182 MU
Website Official website

History

The project was commissioned in 1954 with a capacity of 48 MW (4 x 12 MW). The dam was constructed in 1957 as part of the Chenkulam Hydroelectric Project.^[3][4] In 2002, the project was upgraded from 48 MW to 51.2 MW.^[5]

Project

The Chenkulam Project was intended to use the tailrace water of the Pallivasal project. The dam is constructed of masonry. The power house is situated at Vellathooval in Devikulam taluk.^[2] The water collected is conveyed through a penstock pipe to the Chenkulam powerhouse in Vellathooval, which generates 51.2 MW of electricity using four 12.8 MW turbines.^[2] Annual production is 182 MU.^[5] Taluks receiving release flow are Udumbanchola, Devikulam, Idukki, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.^[1]

Reservoirs

Chenkulam reservoir formed behind the dam. The catchment area of the reservoir is approximately 5.18 km² (2.00 sq mi).^[2] The tailrace discharge joins Mudirapuzha river and flows downstream to Kallarkutty reservoir.

Specifications

• Release from dam to river: Sengulam Ar
• Classification: MH (Medium Height)
• Maximum Water Level (MWL): EL 849.49 m
• Full Reservoir Level (FRL): EL 847.65 m
• Storage at FRL: 0.71 Mm³
• Height from deepest foundation : 26.84 m
• Length : 143.26 m ^[1]