Kherkatta Dam Explained

Kherkatta Dam
Location Map:India Chhattisgarh#India
Coordinates:20.1548°N 80.6423°W
Dam Crosses:Kotri River
Dam Type:Embankment, earth-fill
Dam Length:610m (2,000feet)
Dam Height:20m (70feet)
Construction Began:1966
Opening:1981
Cost: in 1964
Res Name:Paralkot Reservoir
Res Capacity Total:6550000m2

Kherkatta Dam is a medium irrigation project built across the Kotri River, about 10km (10miles) northwest of Kapsi in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, India. It is the largest dam of the district and gets its name from the neighbouring village of Kherkatta. The lake that the dam forms behind it is officially known as the Paralkot Reservoir, which extends in a northwest direction and partially into the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district. The distance of the dam is approximately 20km (10miles) from Pakhanjur, 35km (22miles) from Manpur and 110km (70miles) from Kanker.[1] [2]

The construction of the dam began in 1966 and was completed in 1981 by the Dandakaranya Development Authority, over a period of 15 years. The total cost of construction was estimated at .[3] [4] It was handed over to the state government in the year 1986 and placed under the Kapsi Water Resource Subdivision for its upkeep and maintenance.[5]

Construction details

The length of the dam is 6100NaN0, the height above the lowest foundation is 200NaN0 and the highest flood level is 291.230NaN0. Spread over an area of, its gross storage volume is 6550000m2 and designed max. irrigation area is .[6]

Benefits

The Kherkatta dam[7] was built in hopes of benefiting the locals with better irrigation and cultivation systems.[8] The reservoir consists of two major gates which release water every couple of years through its canals. The artificial lake is used to store water.[9]

Ichthyofaunal diversity

The survey for Ichthyofaunal diversity study in the Paralkot Reservoir of Kanker District was mainly focused on Ichthyofaunal diversity. 25 Species of fishes belonging to 5 orders 11 family and 20 genera was recorded during the study. Cyprinidae were most dominant group represent by 12 species, Siluridae with 2 species, Ophiocephalidae with 2 species, Bagridae 1 species, Mestacemballidae with 2 species, Saccobranchidae 1 species, Claridae 1 species, Centropomidae 1 species, Notopteridae 1 species, Gobiidae 1 species and Cichlidae 1 species. This was the first ever study on the fish diversity of reservoir and would help in explore the fish fauna of Kherkatta dam.[10]

Low utilization of developed water resources

The actual utilization as compared with the designed potential is very poor, about 69%. The reason could be the low rainfall or the low maintenance of the canal system.[11]

Controversy

In May 2023, a food inspector from Pakhanjur ordered workers at the dam to drain over 2 million litres of water. The government official ordered the water to be drained after he accidentally dropped his phone into the waste weir of the dam while taking a selfie.

Footage of the official sitting under an umbrella as water was pumped out of the reservoir was uploaded to social media. After the video went viral, the food inspector, the SDO of the Kapsi water resource subdivision and a sub-engineer were suspended from their positions.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Media Publications . News 18 . 14 August 2022 . News 18 Referring the dam name as Kherkatta Dam . 6 April 2023 . News !8.
  2. Web site: Publication . Media . 4 June 2022 . Chief minister referring the dam as Kherkatta Dam . 6 April 2023 . Chhattisgarh Jansampark.
  3. Web site: Project. significance in Dandakaranya. 25 February 2015.
  4. Web site: Part of Mahanadi River which becomes Kotri river . List of Dams . 28 November 2020 . Kherkatta Dam is built on Matholi stream of Khotri river of Mahanadi . 6 April 2023 . Uvtutorial1010.
  5. Web site: Without Maintenance . Damaged . 5 May 2019 . Kherkatta Dam needs repair . 6 April 2023 . Bhumkalsamachar.
  6. Web site: Publications . Report . 4 September 2019 . Kherkatta Dam Pariyojna . 6 April 2023 . Joharcg.
  7. Web site: of CG . Exams . Question on Kherkatta Dam . 6 April 2023 . harishmanik. 5 January 2022 .
  8. Web site: Life saving . for farmers . 30 May 2021 . Saviors for farmers . 30 May 2021 . More life changer.
  9. Web site: Britannica Article. Works. 25 February 2015.
  10. Book: Biolife Journal. Ichthyofaunal Diversity of the Pakhanjore Dam. 21 February 2015.
  11. Book: Low Utilisation of Kherkatta Dam. Water Resources. 9. 14 July 2015.
  12. Web site: बस्तर . अशोक नायडू . Chhattisgarh: जलाशय से 21 लाख लीटर पानी निकालने का मामला, जल संसाधन विभाग के SDO निलंबित . 2023-08-17 . ABP News . 31 May 2023 . hi.