Kundala Dam

{{Short description|Dam in Kerala, India}} {{Infobox dam | name = Kundala Dam | image = Munnar Kundala Dam (4224019133).jpg | image_caption = In 2009 | location_map = India Kerala #India | country = India | location = Idukki, Kerala | purpose = P | status = O | opening = {{Start date and age|1947|p=y}} | owner = Kerala State Electricity Board | dam_type = G | dam_crosses = Muthirapuzha River | coordinates = {{Coord|10|8|37|N|77|11|15|E|region:IN-KL|display=inline,title}} | name_official = Setuparvatipuram Dam | dam_length = {{cvt|259.38|m}} | dam_height_foundation = {{cvt|36.94|m}} | res_elevation = {{cvt|1758.69|m}} | res_max_depth = {{cvt|1759.3|m}} | dam_elevation_crest = {{cvt|1756.86|m}} | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|77900000|m3}} | spillway_count = 5 | spillway_type = Ogee type | plant_capacity = 37.50 | plant_operator = Kerala State Electricity Board | website = [https://dams.kseb.in Official website] | plant_name = Pallivasal Power Station | plant_annual_gen = 284 MU | plant_turbines = 3 × 5 MW & 3 × 7.5 MW (Pelton-type) | plant_commission = {{start date and age|1940|03|19|p=y}} | res_name = Kundala Reservoir | spillway_capacity = {{cvt|183.95|m3/s}} | res_surface = {{cvt|0.0047|km2}} | res_capacity_active = {{cvt|76500000|m3}} | plant_coordinates = {{coord|10|01|53|N|77|03|17|E|region:IN-KL|display=inline}} }}

'''Kundala Dam''', also known as '''Setuparvatipuram Dam''', is a masonry gravity dam built on Muthirapuzha River in Mattupetty panchayat of Idukki district in Kerala, India.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kundala Dam – KSEB Limited Dam Safety Organisation |url=https://dams.kseb.in/?p=138 |access-date=2023-07-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> It is part of the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project, the first hydroelectric project in Kerala.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Kerala State Electricity Board Limited |url=https://www.kseb.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=50&lang=en |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=www.kseb.in}}</ref> The dam is considered to be Asia's first arch dam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kundala Dam - Trout Lagoon Boating Centre Kundala - Munnar |url=https://www.keralahydeltourism.com/attraction/kundala-dam-trout-lagoon-boating-centre-kundala-munnar |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=www.keralahydeltourism.com}}</ref> It has a height of {{Convert|46.93|m|abbr=on}} and length of {{Convert|259.38|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0" /> Release from dam is to river Palar and taluks through which release flow are Udumbanchola, Devikulam, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.<ref name=":1" />

==Spillway== Spillways are Ogee-type and are 5 in numbers. Vertical lift, each of size 5.18 x 2.74 m is fitted on the spillways.<ref name=":1" />

==Location== The location of the dam is at a distance of {{Cvt|20|km}} from Munnar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kundala Dam Lake Munnar (Entry Fee, Timings, Best time to visit, Images & Location) - Munnar Tourism 2023 |url=https://munnartourism.co.in/kundala-dam-lake-munnar |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=munnartourism.co.in}}</ref> It is a major tourist destination near Munnar. Kundala dam is located on the way to Top Station. Tourist places like Pampadumchola National Park, Kurinjimalai Sanctuary and Meesappulimalai are close to this dam.

== Reservoir == Full Reservoir Level (FRL) is {{Cvt|1758.7|m}} and Minimum Drawdown level (MDDL) is {{Cvt|1735.84|m}}.<ref name=":1" /> Effective Storage at FRL is {{Cvt|77870000|m3}} and Generation potential at FRL is 22.74 MU. The water stored in the Kundala reservoir is released through the Palar River to Mattupetty dam located downstream. The water stored in the Mattupetty reservoir is released to downstream via a canal to a power house. Kundala reservoir has become a tourist spot.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kundala Dam (Trout Lagoon Boating Centre Kundala) - Munnar|url=https://www.keralahydeltourism.com/attraction/kundala-dam-trout-lagoon-boating-centre-kundala-munnar}}</ref> <gallery> File:Kundala Dam and Lake.JPG|Dam and reservoir File:Kundala Lake (23989612990).jpg|Reservoir Kundale, Munnar - panoramio (14).jpg|Reservoir </gallery>

==Hydroelectric project== {{main|Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project}} Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project, which is the first hydroelectric project in Kerala, uses the water from Kundala dam.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeswin |title=Pallivasal PowerPlant : Industrial Visit |url=https://aisat.ac.in/2017/04/27/pallivasal-powerplant-industrial-visit/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Albertian Institute of Science and Technology (AISAT) |language=en-US}}</ref> The project was completed in two stages. In the first stage, just a run-of-the-river scheme was initially introduced with three units having capacity of 4.5 MW each. The first unit of the Pallivasal power station was commissioned on {{Date|Mar 19, 1940|DMY}}. The second unit on {{Date|Feb 02, 1941|DMY}} and the third unit on {{Date|19 Feb, 1942|DMY}}. Kundala and Mattupetty dams together contributed about {{Cvt|65000000|m3}} of storage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Mudirappuzha Basin Hydro Projects|url=https://www.kseb.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=723&lang=en|access-date=2021-07-07|website=www.kseb.in}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links== {{Commons category|Kundala Dam}}

Category:Dams in Idukki district