| Kulamavu Dam | |
| Location Map: | India Kerala#India |
| Location Map Caption: | Location in Kerala |
| Coordinates: | 9.8029°N 76.8961°W |
| Country: | India |
| Location: | Kulamavu, Idukki, Kerala |
| Purpose: | Hydroelectric |
| Status: | Operational |
| Construction Began: | 30 April 1969 |
| Opening: | February 1977 |
| Dam Type: | Gravity, masonry |
| Dam Crosses: | Periyar River |
| Dam Length: | 3850NaN0 |
| Dam Volume: | 620300m2 |
| Spillway Type: | UG |
| Spillway Capacity: | 1600m3/s |
| Res Catchment: | 38 km2 |
| Plant Turbines: | 6 x 130 MW Pelton-type |
| Plant Capacity: | 780 MW |
Kulamavu Dam is a gravity/masonry dam on Kilivillithode, which is a tributary of the Periyar river in Arakkulam village, Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of three dams associated with the Idukki hydroelectric power project in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] This dam is located towards the western side of the Idukki Arch Dam.[2] This is a gravity dam with the top portion in concrete and the bottom in masonry.[3]
The dam is situated on the Thodupuzha - Puliyanmala state highway (SH-33), about from Idukki arch dam, from Cheruthoni dam and from Thodupuzha. Preliminary work on the dam was initiated under the leadership of Superintending Engineer, E.U. Philipose. The dam was completed in the year 1977 and is operated and maintained by Kerala State Electricity Board.
The dams of Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu extend to an area of 33 km2. The construction of these three dams formed a 60 km2 artificial lake. The water stored in it is used for the production of electricity at the power house in Moolamattom.[4] Taluks through which release flow areThodupuzha, Udupanchola, Devikulam, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.
Gross storage capacity: 1.996 cubic Kms (70.50 tmc ft)Active storage capacity: 1.46 cubic kms (51.56 tmc ft)
]
This Underground Power Station is supposedly a technological achievement. There are six generating units each of 130 MW capacity. There are seven 220KV feeders for transmitting the power to the load centers. The power generated in the powerhouse is taken to the switchyard through 220 KV oil filled cables. After power generation, water from the power station is released to the Thodupuzha River through an underground tunnel which is 1220 meters in length. This tail race water is in turn used for producing electricity in the Malankara Small Hydro Electric Station and also for irrigation by means of Irrigation dam at Malankara.[6]