Kherkatta Dam
| Kherkatta Dam | |
|---|---|
 Floodgates of Kherkatta Dam | |
  Location of Kherkatta Dam in India | |
| Official name | Paralkot Reservoir |
| Coordinates | 20°9′17.25″N 80°38′32.21″E / 20.1547917°N 80.6422806°E |
| Construction began | 1966 |
| Opening date | 1981 |
| Construction cost | ₹5.46 crore (US$680,000) in 1964 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment, earth-fill |
| Impounds | Kotri River |
| Height | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Length | 610 m (2,000 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Paralkot Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 6,550,000 m3 (5,310 acre⋅ft) |
Paralkot Reservoir, also known as Kherkatta Dam, is a medium irrigation project located in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh state in India. It is built across the Kotri River near the village of Kherkatta, about 110 km (68 mi) west of Kanker, 20 km (12 mi) north of Pakhanjore and 10 km (6.2 mi) north-east of Kapsi.[1][2][3]
The construction of the dam began in 1966 and was completed in 1981, over a period of 15 years by the Dandakaranya Development Authority under the auspices of the Dandakaranya Project. The total cost of construction was estimated at ₹5.46 crore (US$680,000).[4][5] It was handed over to the state government in the year 1986 and the Kapsi Water Resource Subdivision entrusted with its upkeep and maintenance.[6][7]
The length of the dam is 610 m (2,001 ft), the height above the lowest foundation is 20 m (66 ft) and the highest flood level is 291.23 m (955 ft). Spread over an area of 1,300 acres (530 ha), its gross storage volume is 6,550,000 m3 (5,310 acre⋅ft) and designed max. irrigation area is 24,011.23 acres (9,717.00 ha).[8][9]
Report of completion of project
According to the report submitted on YOJANA July 18, 1965 Page 16, Irrigation canals are being built in the command area of Umerkote Dam and Pakhanjore Dam.One hundred families have been settled around the Pakhanjore Dam, and they will rear ducks and fish and also vegetables. A scheme has been drawn up for a dairy and poultry centre on the banks of the Kotri river in Paralkote zone.[10]
Benefits
The Kherkatta Reservoir was built in hopes of benefiting the locals with better irrigation and cultivation systems. [11] 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.[12]
- Local water supply
- Distant water supply, if water is sent to cities via aqueducts
- Local source of fishing & boating
- Wildlife habitat
- Increased water pressure for those living in the valley
- Power generation
- Irrigation
- Flood water control
Ichthyofaunal diversity
The survey for Ichthyofaunal diversity study in the Pakhanjore 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 Pakhanjore Dam.[13]
Low utilisation of developed water resources
The actual utilisation 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. [14]
References
- ^ https://hindi.indiawaterportal.org/content/basatara-jailae-kaa-dharaatalaiya-jala-ground-water-bastar-district/content-type-page/68105
- ^ https://bhumkalsamachar.com/?p=2159
- ^ https://bangbandhupatrika.com/article-view.php?pathid=7&article=520
- ^ https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/chhattisgarh/state/kanker/parlakot-reservoir-gates-broken-farmers-worried-in-kanker/ct20191123135931846
- ^ Project. "significance in Dandakaranya". Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ^ https://bangbandhupatrika.com/article-view.php?pathid=7&article=520
- ^ https://bhumkalsamachar.com/?p=2270
- ^ https://www.naidunia.com/chhattisgarh/jagdalpur-jagdalpur-news-1328083
- ^ Details of Kherkatta Dam (2005). Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories. p. 214. ISBN 9788178353562. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ Report YOJANA . July 18, 1965 (PDF). 1965. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2015.
- ^ Life saving, for farmers (30 May 2021). "Saviors for farmers". More life changer. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Britannica Article. "Works". Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ^ Biolife Journal. Ichthyofaunal Diversity of the Pakhanjore Dam (PDF). Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ Low Utilisation of Paralkot Dam. Water Resources (PDF). p. 9. Retrieved 14 July 2015.