Hirakud Dam

Hirakud Dam (Odia: ହୀରାକୁଦ ବନ୍ଧ) is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 km fHirakud Dam (Odia: ହୀରାକୁଦ ବନ୍ଧ) is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. Built in 1957, the dam is one of the world's longest earthen dam.[1] Behind the dam extends a lake, Hirakud Reservoir, 55 km long. Hirakud Dam is one of the longest dams in the world, about 16 mi (26 km) in length. It is one of the first major multipurpose river valley project started after India's independence. The name of the dam is mostly mis-pronounced in North India as Hirakund which is actually Hirakud.

Contents [hide]

1 Construction history

2 Technical details

3 Structure

3.1 Power houses

4 Purpose

5 People affected by the dam construction

6 Cattle Island

7 Wildlife

8 See also

9 References

10 External links

[edit]Construction history

Before the devastating floods of 1937, Sir M. Visveswararya proposed a detailed investigation for storage reservoirs in the Mahanadi basin to tackle the problem of floods in the Mahanadi delta. In 1945, under the chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the then Member of Labour, it was decided to invest in the potential benefits of controlling the Mahanadi for multi-purpose use. The Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission took up the work.[2]

On 15 Mar 1946, Sir Howthrone Lewis, then the Governor of Odisha, laid the foundation stone of the Hirakud Dam. A project report was submitted to the government in June 1947. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the first batch of concrete on 12 April 1948. The dam was completed in 1953 and was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 January 1957. The total cost of the project was Rs. 100.02 crores in 1957. Power generation along with agricultural irrigation started in 1956, achieving full potential in 1966.[2]

[edit]Technical details

Dyke

Sasan Canal

Length Total = 25.8 Kilometers [2]

Length = 4.8 Kilometers [2]

Artificial Lake = 743 Sq. Kilometers [2]

Irrigated Area(both crop) = 235477 Hectors [2]

Area lost in construction of Dam = 147,363 acres (596.36 km2) [2]

Power Generation = 307.5 MW [2]

Cost = Rs.100.02 crores (in 1957) [2]

Top dam level = R.L 195.680 Mtr [2]

F.R.L/ M.W.L = R.L 192.024 Mtr [2]

Dead storage level = R.L 179.830 Mtr [2]

Total quantity of earth work in Dam = 18,100,000 m³ [2]

Total quantity of concrete = 1,070,000 m³ [2]

Catchment = 83400 Sq. Kilometers [2]

[edit]Structure

The Hirakud Dam is a composite structure of earth, concrete and masonry. 10 km (6 mi) north of Sambalpur, it is the longest major earthen dam in Asia, measuring 25.8 km (16 mi) including dykes, and stands across the river Mahanadi. The main dam has an overall length of 4.8 km (3 mi)[2] spanning between two hills; the Lamdungri on the left and the Chandili Dunguri on the right. The dam is flanked by 21 km (13 mi) of earthen dykes on both the left and right sides, closing the low saddles beyond the adjoining hills. The dam and dykes together measure 25.8 km (16 mi).[2] It also forms the biggest artificial lake in Asia,[dubious - discuss] with a reservoir holding 743 km2 (287 sq mi) at full capacity, with a shoreline of over 639 km (397 mi). There are two observation towers on the dam one at each side. One is "Gandhi Minar" and the other one is "Nehru Minar". Both the observation towers present breathtaking views of the lake.

[edit]Power houses

The dam supports two different hydroelectric power houses. Power House I is located at the base (toe) of the main dam section and contains 5 x 37.5 MW Kaplan turbine and 2 x 24 MW Francis turbine generators for an installed capacity of 259.5 MW. Power Station II is located