Amaravathi Dam

Infobox_Dam
dam_name= Amaravathi Dam


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official_name=Amaravathi Dam
crosses= Amaravati River
reservoir= Amaravathi Reservoir
locale=Amaravathinagar in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu,India
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height= convert|90|ft|m|abbr=on|width= ?convert|1|ft|m|abbr=on
began=
open= 1957
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coordinates= coord|10|24.64|N|77|15.6|E|region:IN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
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Amaravathi Dam at Amaravathinagar, 25 km south on NH 17 from Udumalpet, is located in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The 9.31 km², 33.53 m deep [Government of Tamil Nadu, Reservoir Position. [http://www.tn.gov.in/economy/eco-aug2001-4.htm] ] Amaravathi Reservoir was created by this steep dam. It was built primarily for irrigation and flood control and now also has 4 Megawatts electric generating capacity installed. It is notable for the significant population of Mugger Crocodiles living in it's reservoir and catchment basin.

History

The dam was built in 1957 during the K. Kamaraj administration across the Amaravati River about 25 km upstream and south from Thirumoorthy Dam. Capacity of the dam has shrunk 25% from 4 tmcft to 3 tmcft due to siltation of the reservoir. ["Farmers worried over low water level" The Hindu, Feb 16, 2007GunasekaranM [] ] during 2003-04, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board proposed to install 4 MW electric generating capacity from the dam, [Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission, Annual Plan, Chapter 11 Infrastructure Development & Tourism, 2004 [http://www.tn.gov.in/spc/annualplan/chapter11-1.htm] ] which is now in operation.

Tourism

There is a well laid-out park where one may climb steep steps on the dam to have a picturesque view north of the plains below and south to the Anaimalai Hills and Palni Hills above. [http://aizwaikcha.blogspot.com/2008/03/amaravathi-dam.html Photo of Park] This place is being developed as a District Excursion Centre for tourism. [Around Pollachi - [http://www.coimbatore.com/pollachi/around.htm Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary] ]

Photo Gallery

* [http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1546557 South West View from Dam] of Anamalai Hills,
* [http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3374456 Photo of Spillway] ,
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_7qYe6Hd3s 5:53 Video at the Dam]

Notes