Jalaput Dam: Difference between revisions

The '''Jalaput Dam''' is a [[hydroelectric dam]] built on the Machkund River, a tributary of the [[Godavari River]]<ref>[http://www.kgbo-cwc.ap.nic.in/About%20Basins/Godavari.pdf Godavari river basin map]</ref> in India which rises in the Mudugal hills of [[Visakhapatnam]] District and nearby Ondra Gadda it becomes the boundary between [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Odisha]]. This Dam is the most ignored one in India, currently, it is in dilapidated condition. For over 48&nbsp;km the river runs nearly north along a meandering course through the Padwa Valley.  About 48 km south of [[Jeypore]], it winds westward along the edge of the Plateau and then suddenly tums at a short angle to the south-west down a steep descent popularly known as [[Duduma Falls]].

Jalaput Dam (and Reservoir) impounds 34.273 [[Tmcft]] of water for the needs of downstream 120 MW Machkund Hydro-Electric Scheme (MHES), which is in operation since 1955.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Jalaput_Dam_D03658 | title=Jalaput Dam D03658 | accessdate=2 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927164145/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Jalaput_Dam_D03658 | archive-date=27 September 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The dam and the MHES are the joint projects of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states. The existing six number power generation units have become old and obsolete compared to the latest technology. It is much economical to install a new hydro-electric scheme with a 15 km long tunnel using nearly 400 meters available level drop between Jalaput reservoir and the existing [[Balimela Reservoir]] backwaters. There is also the possibility to install a huge capacity [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity]] station for the needs of peaking power using high water level drop. This reservoir will serve as the upper pond and the existing Balimela reservoir as the tail pond for installing Pumped-storage hydroelectricity units. Thus this reservoir water can be put to use more productively. The existing MHES<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.apgenco.gov.in/inner.asp?frm=our_pow_plants_hydel1 |title=Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Ltd |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225134931/http://www.apgenco.gov.in/inner.asp?frm=our_pow_plants_hydel1 |archive-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> can also be kept in operation by diverting the surplus water from the nearby upper Kolab reservoir<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ohpcltd.com/index.asp |title=Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916012417/http://www.ohpcltd.com/index.asp |archive-date=16 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> into the Machkund river basin by joining with nearly 4&nbsp;km long tunnel. This would facilitate to use of excess water from the upper Kolab reservoir for enhanced electricity generation in MHES and downstream Balimela powerhouse by using nearly 200% more available head in Sileru river basin before putting finally for irrigation use.

[[Category: Hydroelectric power stations in Odisha]]

[[Category: Hydroelectric power stations in Andhra Pradesh]]

[[Category: Dams in Andhra Pradesh]]

[[Category: Dams completed in 1955]]

[[Category: Dams in Odisha]]

[[Category: Dams on the Godavari River]]

[[Category: Buildings and structures in Visakhapatnam district]]