It is calculated that this dam has a 75 MW of installation capacity to generate power which help in the storage of the reservoir. The large reservoir which is created across the riverIdamalayar River is Idamalayar Dam. Its operation procedures are handled by the Electricity Board of Kerala State. The dam is expected to be of great benefit and its water would be used for irrigation purpose.

Geography

It is known that river Idamalayar is flow in order to give its tributary to the river Periyar which flows in the direction of south India in the state of Kerela. The origination of this river is from the hills which are named by Anaimalai hills with an elevation of angle 2520 m (8,270 ft). This river serves as the mean of source consisting an area of 381 km2 (147 sq mi) as its catchment area. It is estimated that this river receive its annual rainfall near about 6000 mm. According to the weather report, it is calculated that near about 90% of rain in the reservoir of idamalayar Dam is received in the month duration of four months (June- September). The location of this dam is calculated 81 km (50 mi) far away from the district of Ernakulam and the distance of 10-12 km (6.2-7.5 mi) away from Bhoothathankettu dam, which means the dam of monster in Malayam language. According to the local people, it is said that in order to submerge the Thrikkariyoor temple, demons built the dam and from that time it is known as the monster dam.

Water Resources

According to the weather report it is estimated that this dam is affected by the correlation of low rainfall-runoff and there is a low quantity of flow of water which is caused due to the dry season. Nearly 1,207 million cubic m (million cubic metres) is calculated as its annual runoff. The storage capacity of the reservoir of dam is 1,032.3 million cubic metres. As per the order of commission for the project set up in the year 1987, there is a reassessing of the flowed water. During the rough season, the flow of water led to the direction on negative side to 1,178 million cubic metres and at the monsoon seasons it lead to the positive direction to 4,361 million cubic metres. There is the total accession of rainfall annually is calculated as 5,539 million cubic metres. There is no need of irrigation during the season of monsoon because the water from dry season is proved to be sufficient for the purpose of irrigation in order to feed the people there.

There is the supplementation of Perngalkuttu reservoir to the reservoir of Idamalayar through the help of Vachumaram canal which provides a diversion at the time of starting of monsoon season. Be taking the help of the various methods, the water from this reservoir help in the generation of energy so that water doesn’t spills out and divert it through the diversions set up.

Structural Details

Idamalayar dam is one of the gravity concrete dams built across the bank sites of river Idamalayar at a distance of 102.80 m (337.3 ft) in height which is calculated above in the deepest level of 373 m (1,224 ft) in length. The structure of the reservoir is set up in the angle of 169 m (554ft) and the level of 115 m (377ft) is considered as the area (MDDL). The reservoir of this dam contains an area of 28.3 km cube (10.9 sq mi) as its water spread area. There is the capacity of water storage is 1,017.8 million cubic metres out of the total capacity of storage of 1,089 million cubic metres. There is the spillway which is designed in order to pass the flood water at a speed of 3,012.8 cubic metres per second (106,400 cu ft/s). There is the storage which is located behind the reservoir of gravity dam which helps in the generation of power with the help of the diversion which consist of tunnel of size 1,700 m (5,600 ft) and a shaft which is surge and even there is the direct connection of penstocks to the installed turbines. It has the maximum power of 75 MW of two units, 35 MW each.

There are various instruments which are used to estimate the performance of the dam in order to take appropriate steps against floods. These instruments consist of barrages, gates, regulators etc which provides safety to the dam. By the safety insured, there are various projects approved by the government which covers 19 projects for irrigation and some of the projects say 12 projects which work under Kerela Board of Electricity. This programmer is regulated under the ‘’Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) from the year 2011.

Irrigation Benefits

From the help of water from power house of the Idamalayar dam, the problem of irrigation is sorted out with the help of the water available in Idamalayar reservoir is accompanied by the water from its power house which extremely help in supplying water for the irrigation. Government is in the direction of progress by implementing a project named ‘’The Idamalayar irrigation project’’. According to the project, it is planned that the water from the power house of Idamalayar dam is carried by the barrage that is constructed at Bhoothathankettu dam which is built across the river Periyar. About 14,394 hectares (35,570 acres) of wet land is used for the irrigation purpose and out of that area, an area of 13,209 hectares (32,640 acres) is considered for the use of cultivable command. The implementation of this project is from the year of 1981.This project includes a cost of Rs 18.5 crores (US$ 411.11 million) which according to the 2007 report cost about Rs 539.50 crores (US$ 1198.9 million). As per the plan of 2010-2011, it is stated that the construction of some part of the dam is still in work.   

Not for only irrigation or generation of power, this dam is also serving other activities too like boating, trekking etc.

Construction Delays

In the year of 1970, the implementation of the Idamalayar Dam was started but its final construction took place after 17 years of its implementation. As per the report stated in the year 2001, it was estimated that the cost of constructing the dam was more than the actual amount sanctioned by the authority to the Kerela government. In the year of 1987, it was commissioned that the project of Idamalayar dam had gone over a time period of 9 years and its cost exceeds 285% (2.81 per KWh) from the cost of its actual capital. Government in the state of Kerela called for a meeting which stated a reason for the delay of the project. There exist a controversary too which is raised against the contract of Idamalayar dam. K. Sukumuran who was justice by profession was appointed to over look the issues related to Idamalayar dam and Kallada dam too. By the report presented by K. Sukumuran, Minister R. Balakrishna Pillai was bound by the act of special court with some other ministers. In the year of 2011, month of February, Minister R. Balakrishna Pillai went into prison for misusing his post with two other ministers.

Avifauna

In the reservoir of Idamlayar Dam, there are various kinds of Avifauna are collected in which, few of them are Flameback, Asian Openbill, Rusty Tailed Flycatcher, Chestnut Tailed Starling, Little Heron, Plum Headed Parakeet, Bar Winged Flycatcher, Common Hawk Cuckoo, BrownedBulbul and many more. Lost of people come here to watch them. It is one of the biggest tourist spot near the Idamalyar Dam. People use to come here and are spending lost of time at this place. The lush greenery and natural beauty attracts to large number of tourists. There are many wild Avifauna are also located at the place. They include Belied Eagle, Dark fonted Babbler, Blue Rock, Jungle outlet and many other things that will provide a better time to those who are visiting this place.

Attractions

Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary

Thattekkadu is the bird sanctuary also known by the name of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary which is situated near the Periyar River in the small district of Kothamangalam Taluk. It is located at 58 km far away from the state of Kochi. It spread over an area of 25 sq km which includes a sanctuary which is above the sea level of 35-523 m in height. The bird Sanctuary Provide a livelihood to 500 species. The species of birds includes various kinds of birds whichthey are as follows: Sunbird, Crimson-Throated Barbet, rosewood, Bee-eater, Pariah Kite etc. It is the bird sanctuary, which came into the existence in the year of 1983. It is the first bird sanctuary which is official authorised for the state of Kerela. Inspite of the birds, it also gives shelter to the various trees species like teak, mahogany etc. At the entrance to the bird sanctuary thereis the demonstration of various activities are found like demonstration for medicinal plants, refusing given to the deers etc. There are various activities which givepleasur to the tourists are boating, trekking etc. During the month of September to the month of June, is considered the best time for visiting.

Iringole Temple

Another attractive pointing which is added to the beauty of Idamalayar Dam is Temple of Iringole which is situated in the district of Pattal. It is one of the known temples whose existence is found under the area of dense forest and even it was known that this temple was the renovation of Bhagavathy Temple. This temple located in an area which is 35km far away from the district Ernamula on the road of Aluva-Munnar.  

It is said that no one came to known the real existence of this temple. It is the temple of about 2746 years old according to the calculation by Kaimukku Parameswaran Namboothiri, an astrologer in the year of 1986. Other scholars and the people there accept the fact about its existence. A period of 1200 years after the existence of temple is found, there was the starting of worship in the temple.

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