Idukki Dam

Idukki Dam
Location of Idukki Dam in Kerala
Country	India
Location	Idukki, Kerala
Coordinates	9°50′34″N 76°58′34″E / 9.84278°N 76.97611°E / 9.84278; 76.97611
Purpose	Power generation
Status	Operational
Construction began	1963
Opening date	1976 (48 years ago) (1976)
Owner(s)	Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Concrete, double curvature parabolic, thin arch.
Impounds	Periyar River
Height	168.91 m (554 ft)
Height (foundation)	169.16 meters
Length	365.85 m (1,200 ft)
Dam volume	450,000 m3 (16,000,000 cu ft)
Spillways	Nil
Reservoir
Total capacity	1.996 km3 (70.5 tmc ft)
Active capacity	1,460×10^6 m3 (1,183,641 acre⋅ft) (51.57 tmc ft)
Inactive capacity	536×10^6 m3 (434,542 acre⋅ft) (18.93 tmc ft)
Catchment area	649.3 km2 (251 sq mi)
Surface area	60 km2 (23 sq mi)
Normal elevation	732.62 m (2,404 ft)
Power Station
Commission date	1975
Turbines	6 x 130 MW Pelton-type
Installed capacity	780 MW

The Idukki Dam is a double-curvature arch dam constructed across the Periyar River in a narrow gorge between two granite hills locally known as Kuravan and Kurathi in Idukki district in the state of Kerala, India. It is constructed and owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a 780 MW hydroelectric power station in Moolamattom, which started generating power on 4 October 1975.^[1] At 168.91 metres (554.2 ft), it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. The Indo-Canadian project was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on February 17, 1976.^[2]

This dam was constructed along with two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. Together, the three dams and Two saddle dams, Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Near Junction) and Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Right Bank) have created an artificial lake that is 60 km² (23 sq mi) in area. The stored water is used to produce electricity at the Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside nearby rocky caves.^[1]

Narakakkanam, Azhutha, Vazhikkadavu, Vadakkepuzha and Kuttiar diversion schemes were later added to augment the Idukki reservoir .