Chenkulam Dam

Chengulam Dam

Chenkulam Dam is a dam located on the Mudirapuzha River in Vellathooval Panchayath of Idukki district of Kerala, India. The 144.50 metres (474.1 ft) long and 26.82 metres (88.0 ft) high dam was constructed in 1957 as part of the Chenkulam Hydroelectric Project. It also has a 48 MW power plant.

Hydroelectric Project

The Sengulam/Chenkulam Project was intended to use the tailrace water of Pallivasal project. The water released from the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project is conveyed through penstock tunnels to the Chenkulam Reservoir. The project was commissioned in 1954 with a capacity of 48 MW (4 x 12 MW). Chenkulam balancing reservoir was formed by constructing Chenkulam dam. The waterlevel in the Chenkulam reservoir is kept within limits to avoid spill. The catchment area of the reservoir is approximately 5.18 sqkm. The tailrace discharge joins Mudirapuzha river and is flowing downstream to kallarkutty reservoir. The power house is situated at Vellathooval, Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District. The water collected here is conveyed through a penstock pipe to the Chenkulam powerhouse in Vellathooval, which generates 51.2 MW of electricity using 4 12 MW turbines. in 1955, The plan came into force and in 2002, the project was upgraded from 48 MW to 51.2 MW. At present the annual production is 182 MU. Taluks through which release flow are Udumpanchola, Devikulam, Idukki, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.

Specifications

• Latitude : 10⁰ 0′ 39 ” N
• Longitude: 77⁰ 01′ 58” E
• Panchayath : Vellathooval
• Village : Vellathooval
• District : Idukki
• River Basin : Muthirapuzha
• River : Tailwaters of Pallivasal Power house
• Release from Dam to river : Sengulam Ar
• Year of completion : 1957
• Type of Dam : Masonry – gravity
• 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