Idukki Dam
| Idukki Dam ഇടുക്കി അണക്കെട്ട് |
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Idukki Dam seen from downstream
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 Location of Idukki Dam
ഇടുക്കി അണക്കെട്ട് in India Kerala |
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| Location | Idukki, Kerala, India |
| Coordinates | 9°50′34″N 76°58′34″E / 9.84278°N 76.97611°ECoordinates: 9°50′34″N 76°58′34″E / 9.84278°N 76.97611°E |
| Purpose | Power generation |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 30 April 1969 |
| Opening date | February 1973 |
| 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) |
| Length | 365.85 m (1,200 ft) |
| Dam volume | 450,000 m3 (16,000,000 cu ft) |
| Spillways | Nil |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 1,996×106 m3 (1,618,184 acre·ft) |
| Active capacity | 1,459×106 m3 (1,182,831 acre·ft) |
| Inactive capacity | 536×106 m3 (434,542 acre·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 Kuravan and Kurathi in Kerala, India. At 167.68 metres, it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. It was constructed and is 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. Technically, the dam type is a concrete, double curvature parabolic, thin arc dam.
This dam was constructed along with two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. Together, the three dams have created an artificial lake that is 60 km² in area. The stored water is used to produce electricity at the Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside nearby rocky caves. The Government of Canada aided in the building of the dam with long term loans and grants.
The idea of constructing a dam for power generation was first conceived in 1919. As per history, Shri Kolumban, the head of 'Oorali' race during 1922, showed the way to the Malankara Estate Superintendent and his friend AC Thomas Edattu, who were on hunting spree in the forest, the spot of present Arch Dam. He told them of the legend of Kuravan and Kurathi Hills. Mr. Thomas was impressed by the sight of water flow between the mountains and it was his idea that has materialized in the form of Idukki Arch Dam. Sri. W.J.John of Malankara Estate submitted a report to the Government of Travancore in 1932 on the possibility of constructing a dam at Idukki for Power Generation.
In 1947, a preliminary investigation report was prepared and submitted by Sri. P. Joseph John, the then Chief Electrical Engineer to the Government of Travancore. It was during 1956 that the Central Water Commission conducted a detailed investigation based on the Government's request. The project report was prepared in 1961 and the Planning Commission accorded sanction for implementing the scheme in 1963. In 1964, under the leadership of Sri. E.U.Philipose, Superintending Engineer, preliminary works of the project were started.
The construction of this Dam commenced on 30 April 1969 under the guidance of several engineers like Sri. C.V Mathews(Retired Chief Engineer, Electricity Board) . Storage of water in Idukki reservoir commenced in February, 1973. The inauguration of trial run of the first machine was celebrated on 4 October 1975. Commercial operation of the Power Station was Commissioned on 12 February 1976 by the then Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. The Government of Canada aided the Project with long term loans and grants. M/s S.N.C.Inc., Canada, a well-known firm of Consulting Engineers were advising and assisting Project Engineers under Canadian aid.
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