Visit to Sothupparai Dam and Vaigai Dam
A field visit report on two important gravity dams of Tamil Nadu
Sothupparai Dam
Sothupparai Dam is a gravity dam built across the Varaha River in the foothills of the Western Ghats, near Periyakulam in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. The dam is mainly fed by rainfall from the Western Ghats and runoff from Berijam Lake near Kodaikanal.
Important Facts
- Location: Near Periyakulam, Theni district
- River: Varaha River (a tributary of the Vaigai River)
- Water Source: Western Ghats rainfall and Berijam Lake catchment
Path to the Upper Reaches
While going to Sothupparai Dam, we climbed the mountain and enjoyed the scenic surroundings. The path was narrow and sloping like a cattle path, with bright sunlight and many steep steps.
Water Regulation
Water release from the dam varies daily depending on inflow and reservoir level. During the rainy season, excess water is released through spillways to prevent overflow. In dry periods, water is released mainly for drinking and essential needs.
Tunnel and Monitoring
The dam contains inspection tunnels and seepage outlets. Water entering through these outlets is carefully monitored for both quantity and quality before controlled release.
Vaigai Dam
Vaigai Dam is a gravity dam built across the Vaigai River near Andipatti in Theni district. Construction began in 1954 and the dam was completed and inaugurated in 1964 by the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Kamaraj.
The dam plays a vital role in supplying water for irrigation, drinking, and other needs in the Madurai and Dindigul districts.
Water Level and Capacity
- Type: Gravity Dam
- Total height: 111 feet
- Full Reservoir Level: 71 feet
- Storage capacity: 6,143 million cubic feet
Official updates on water level, inflow, and discharge are regularly provided by the Water Resources Department of Tamil Nadu.
Guarded Area and View Point
Certain sections of the dam, including tunnels, fall gates, and upper hill areas, are restricted to authorized personnel. From the viewpoint, the surrounding landscape offers a beautiful panoramic view.
High-voltage electrical equipment (440 volts) is installed in this area, with protective barriers and measuring instruments to ensure safety and monitoring.
Electricity Generation
- Power station: Tamil Nadu Electricity Board
- Installed capacity: 6 MW (2 × 3 MW units)
- Commissioned: January 29, 1959
- Recommissioned: April 3, 1990
The Vaigai Hydroelectric Power Plant operates using a 71-foot water head. About 700 cubic feet of water per second is released to generate electricity.
On average, 2.45 lakh units of electricity are generated per day. Around 21 million units were generated between June and October, compared to 18 million units in the previous year.
This visit helped us understand dam engineering, water management, and hydroelectric power generation in real-world conditions.