Mullaperiyar Dam, Gravity dam in Idukki District, Kerala, India.
Description
Mullaperiyar Dam is a gravity structure on the Periyar River in Idukki District, built using masonry within the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats. It extends 365 meters across the river valley and stands 53 meters above the riverbed.
History
British engineer John Pennycuick oversaw construction between 1887 and 1895, selling his family jewelry to complete the project. The structure was built to divert water from Kerala to Tamil Nadu for agricultural irrigation purposes.
Culture
The dam marks the meeting point of Mullayar and Periyar rivers, establishing water distribution arrangements between Kerala and Tamil Nadu states.
Practical
The structure lies within Periyar National Park, so entry restrictions for the protected area apply. Visitors can explore the reservoir and surrounding landscape during daylight hours, with walking paths leading around the water body.
Did you know?
The reservoir supplies agricultural land in Tamil Nadu despite being located in Kerala, leading to long negotiations between both states. Water flows through a tunnel carved through the mountains to reach the plains on the other side.
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