Solaiyar Dam
Solaiyar Dam, Upper Solaiyar Dam or Upper Sholayar Dam (Solaiyaaru) is located 20 km (12 mi) from Valparai, a hill station in the Anaimalai Hills of the Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu India. As it is a part of the hydroelectric project of Tamil Nadu, special permission is required to visit the dam.
| Solaiyar Dam | |
|---|---|
Solaiyar Dam | |
Location of Solaiyar Dam in India | |
| Official name | Solaiyar Dam |
| Country | India |
| Location | Valparai, Tamil Nadu |
| Opening date | 1965 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Chalakkudi River |
| Height (foundation) | 66 metre |
| Length | 430.6 metre |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Chalakkudi River |
| Total capacity | 153.60 million cubic metre (5.42 tmcft) |
| Active capacity | 150.20 million cubic metre (5.31 tmcft) |
| Solaiyar Power House | |
| Operator(s) | Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited |
| Commission date | Unit 1: 22 April 1971 Unit 2: 04 May 1971 Unit 3: 29 March 1971 |
| Turbines | 2 X 35 MW 1 X 25 MW |
| Installed capacity | 120 MW |
Valparai is located 64 km (40 mi) from Pollachi and 104 km (65 mi) from Chalakudy, Kerala. The nearest railway station is Pollachi.
The reservoir of Solaiyar dam is a vital reservoir under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project and has a water storage capacity of 160 ft (49 m). The reservoir's overflowing waters are let into the Parambikulam Reservoir through the saddle dam.
It was constructed by a team working under K. Gopalswamy Mudhaliar, the most popular engineer in that area.
The Solaiyar Dam is part of the Solaiyar Hydroelectric Project (HEP). The project comprises the main Soliayar Dam, the Solaiyar Flanking Dam, and the Solaiyar Saddle Dam.