HARANGI DAM

The Harangi Dam is located near Hudgur village, Kushalnagar taluk in Kodagu district in the
Indian state of Karnataka.[1] The masonry dam is built across the river Harangi, a tributary of
the Kaveri.[1][2] The dam is located about 9 km (5.6 mi) from the heart of Kushalnagar town.

HARANGI DAM GATES

Location–Hudgur, Kushalnagar, Kodagu, Karnataka, India

Coordinates– 12°29′30″N 75°54′20″E
Construction began –1969
Opening date –1982
Operator(s)-- Karnataka Irrigation Department

Dam and spillways

Impounds–Harangi River
Height–164 ft [1]
Length–2775 ft [1]

Reservoir

Total capacity–8.50 Tmcft[1]

Catchment area–419.58 sq.km

HISTORY

Harangi hydroelectric project was set up by Energy Development Company Limited (EDCL) on
the Left bank of Harangi Dam, parallel to left bank irrigation canal. The 9 megawatt (2×4.5 MW)
project was started in April 1997, and was fully into commercial operation by July 1999. It falls
under the "Small" category of hydropower projects (3-25 MW).The construction of the harangi
dam dates back to the early 1970s when it was built as part of a broader plan to develop water
resources in the Cauvery Basin. It was envisioned to provide irrigation facilities for the largely
agrarian region of Kodagu and mitigate the problem of water scarcity, particularly during dry
seasons. The project was designed to harness the potential of the Harangi River and store
water to be used in the surrounding areas.

The estimated project cost was Rs. 11.06 crores (Rs. 110.6 million) and the actual cost
escalated to Rs. 58.00 crores (Rs. 580.0 million). The reservoir covers an area of 20.03 km2
(7.73 sq mi).[3]
Phase-II of the project is to install a 6 megawatt unit, currently under planning.

GEOGRAPHY

The Harangi River originates in the Pushpagiri Hills of the Western Ghats in Kodagu,
Karnataka.[2] Heavy rainfall from the south-west monsoon is the source of water in its
catchment area which is about 419.58 km2 (162.00 sq mi).[2] The Harangi is the first major
tributary of the Kaveri. The length of the Harangi from its origin to the confluence with the Kaveri
river is 50 km (31 mi).[2] The Harangi joins the Kaveri near Kudige, 5 km (3.1 mi) north of
Kushalnagar.

The Harangi Reservoir, located before the confluence, covers an area of 20.03 km2 (7.73 sq
mi).[3] The catchment area is a rich biosphere. Between the open water and the dry land are
marshy wetlands.[4]

The area has a highland climate without extreme variations. The rainfall is mostly from the
southwest monsoon, during June to September.[5]

Flora

Kodagu district is one of the most densely forested districts in India, with about 80% tree cover
and 36% covered with forests. Based on the rainfall, the district is classified into Wet,
Intermediate and Dry zones.[5] The forests surrounding the Harangi reservoir include several
types: scrub, deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen.[4]

Fauns
Birds

Black-head-ibis(Threskiornis
melanocephalus), ca. April 2024

A study conducted in the vicinity of the Harangi Reservoir from June 2016 to May 2017
recorded 44 species of birds. The best season for birds was post-monsoon (October-January)
during which all species were found and about half the species were common or abundant. In
the summer season (February-May), only Red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) and
Yellow-browed bulbul (Acritillas indica) were occasional, others being rare or absent. In the
monsoon season (June to September), only a few egrets and ibises were occasional, with all
other species being rare or absent.[4] Kodagu district has a much larger number of bird species,
214 being recorded in a study in 2016.[5] The online database of bird observations, eBird,
reported a total of 366 species sighted as of April 2024.[6]

HARANGI TREE PARK AND ELEPHANT CAMP

View point, Harangi Tree Park and

Elephant Camp
The third Elephant Camp at Harangi was inaugurated on October 10, 2022. This is the third
elephant campu in Kodagu, and the ninth elephant camp in Karnataka. The park occupies 40
acres (16 ha) on the right bank of the reservoir. The State Government had released Rs. 80
lakhs for the project to ease the burden of the existing elephant camps. The other two elephant
camps in Kodagu are at Dubare and Mathigodu near the Anechowkur Gate that borders
Mysuru.[7][8]

. Engineering and Design:

The HARANGI Dam is a gravity dam made of concrete, designed to withstand high water
pressure and hold a significant volume of water. The dam’s height is about 47 meters, and it has
a length of approximately 180 meters. It has a storage capacity of around 8.52 TMC (thousand
million cubic feet) of water. The dam’s design takes into account the topography of the
surrounding hills and the natural flow of the Harangi River. The reservoir formed behind the dam
has a surface area of about 1,400 acres.

GALLERY

The Reservoir
Birds

Construction and Features

The Harangi dam was constructed in 1969 with the primary objective of providing irrigation
facilities to the farmers in the Kodagu and Mysuru districts, and its construction involved the
building of an earthen dam with a length of 845 meters and a height of 47 meters. The dam's
design and construction enable it to have a gross storage capacity of 8.5 TMC (thousand million
cubic feet) of water, making it an essential component of the region's water management
infrastructure. Additionally, the dam's construction has helped to control flooding in the
downstream areas and provide drinking water to the nearby towns and villages.

Purpose and Benefits

The Construction of Harangi Dam was commenced in the year 1969 and completed during1982.
It is located across “Harangi River” which is a tributary of Cauvery River which flows in Cauvery
basin. The dam is situated near Hudgur village in Somwarpet Taluk of Coorg District. The dam
comes under Cauvery basin and is located at longitude 75054’ 20’’ E and latitude 12029’ 30’’ N.
The dam site is accessible by a 7.50 km long approach road which takes off at Kushalnagar
situated on Mysore – Madikeri road at a distance of 110 km from Mysore.
The dam has a total catchment area of 419.58 sq km (162 sq mile) upto dam site. Mean annual
rainfall in the catchment area varies from 127 cms (50”) to 381 cms (150”) per annum. The
annual yield at 50% dependability from its catchment is assessed as 1112.84 MCM (39.3 TMC)
of which 509.70 MCM (18.0 TMC) is utilized to irrigate 54,591 ha (1,34,895 acres) through a
main canal situated in the left bank of the dam in the initial reaches, which then bifurcates into
Left bank canal and Right bank canal at a distance of 16.77 km from the main dam after
crossing the Cauvery river. The reservoir formed by the dam has a gross storage capacity of
240.70 MCM (8.5 TMC) and live storage capacity of 228.60 MCM (8.073 TMC).
The dam as constructed has a total length 845.82 m comprising of central masonry spillway and
non-overflow dams on either side of spillway and earthen embankments on both sides of
Non-overflow dam sections. The dam has a maximum height of 53.03 m (RL 874.47 m – 821.44
m) reckoned from the lowest foundation level of spillway dam. The maximum height of this dam
reckoned from the lowest riverbed level is 50.03 m (RL 874.47 m – RL 824.44 m). The
construction of the dam was completed in the year 1982 and is operating since then.
The surplussing works consist of an overflow section of length 67.05 m comprising 4 bays ogee
spillway fitted with 4 number Radial gates of size 12.19 m x 10.715 m providing a net
discharging length of 48.76 m (12.19 x 4 no). 3 River sluices of size 1.83 m x 3.66 m (6 ft x 12ft)
are provided in the piers of the spillway. A drainage gallery of length 467.877 m and of size 1.52
m x 2.28 m is provided throughout overflow and non-overflow sections of the dam.
An Irrigation sluice is provided on the Left bank non-overflow portion of the dam at Ch: 130 and
has 6 vents each of size 1.83 m x 3.05 m. Sill level of the sluice vents is at RL 846.734 m.

Hydroelectric Power Generation

The Harangi dam has a hydroelectric power plant with an installed capacity of 9.8 MW, which
generates electricity by utilizing the water stored in the dam. The power plant operates by
releasing water from the dam into a penstock, which drives a turbine connected to a generator,
producing electricity that is fed into the power grid. The hydroelectric power plant provides a
clean and renewable source of energy, reducing the region's reliance on fossil fuels and
mitigating climate change.

Water Management
The water level in the Harangi dam is managed by the Karnataka State Government's Water
Resources Department, which ensures that the water is released in a controlled manner to meet
the irrigation and drinking water needs of the surrounding areas. The department uses a
combination of manual and automated systems to monitor and control the water level in the
dam, ensuring that the water is utilized efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the department
works closely with farmers and other stakeholders to ensure that the water is released in a
manner that meets their needs.

Environmental Impact

The Harangi dam has had a significant impact on the environment, both positive and negative.
On the positive side, the dam has helped to control soil erosion and flooding in the downstream
areas, providing a safe and secure environment for the people living in the surrounding areas.
However, the dam has also affected the natural flow of the Harangi River and has impacted the
aquatic life, highlighting the need for sustainable and environmentally-friendly water
management practices.
Tourism
The Harangi dam is a popular tourist destination in Kodagu, attracting thousands of visitors
every year. Visitors can enjoy boating and fishing in the dam, and there are also several picnic
spots nearby, providing a scenic and relaxing environment for tourists. Additionally, the dam's
surrounding areas offer opportunities for trekking and hiking, making it an ideal destination for
adventure seekers.

Challenges and Controversies:

Despite the many benefits provided by the HARANGI Dam, there are challenges associated
with its operation. One of the key concerns is the silting of the reservoir, which can reduce its
storage capacity over time. Additionally, during the monsoon season, the dam must manage
large volumes of water, and there have been instances of increased water release, which has
raised concerns about downstream flooding. The environmental impact of dam construction,
including the displacement of local communities and the effect on wildlife, has also been a point
of contention.

Maintenance and upgradation

The Harangi dam is maintained and upgraded by the Karnataka State Government's Water
Resources Department, which ensures that the dam is in good condition and that it continues to
provide irrigation and drinking water facilities to the surrounding areas. The department
conducts regular inspections and maintenance work to ensure that the dam's structures and
equipment are in good working condition. Additionally, the department has implemented several
upgradation projects to improve the dam's efficiency and effectiveness.
Collection & Reporting of Dam and Reservoir Data
A proforma table is provided below to ensure that dates and times for the collection and
reporting of
vital information is recorded and documented for the record.
● Reservoir water surface elevation.
● Reservoir inflow.
● Spillway outflow.
● River releases.
● Irrigation, water supply and hydropower releases.
● Weather related data
● Instrumentation data
● Water quality
Instructions and a standard proforma for collection and reporting of inflow and outflow data,
Records [Logbooks] of the following operations at Harangi Dam are to be maintained in a
chronological manner for reference. These records are helpful for identifying preventative
maintenance measures that may need to be taken up, troubleshooting the cause of potential
equipment
failure and documenting development of any unusual conditions.
● Date and Time
● Attendance statement during normal operations – both during monsoon and non-monsoon
periods.
● Operations of the spillway gates and outlet works.
● Operating hours of mechanical equipment.
● Testing /Operation of spillway gates, stop-logs and associated controls.
● Testing/operation of Outlet gates, valves and associated controls.
● Maintenance activities carried out.
● Reservoir and dam inspections.
● Unusual conditions or occurrences, including acts of vandalism.
● Attendance statement at the dam during emergency operations.
● Changes to normal operating procedures.
● Communication network checks.
● Safety and special instructions.
● Names of officers and staff carrying out inspections and maintenance.
● Any other item pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the dam.

Challenges and Future Plans

The Harangi dam faces several challenges, including siltation and water pollution, which affect
its efficiency and effectiveness. To address these challenges, the Karnataka State Government
has proposed several plans, including the construction of a new dam and the implementation of
water conservation measures. Additionally, the government has initiated several projects to
improve the dam's maintenance and upgradation, ensuring that it continues to provide irrigation
and drinking water facilities to the surrounding areas.
Conclusion
The Harangi dam is an important irrigation and hydroelectric project in Karnataka, providing
irrigation and drinking water facilities to the surrounding areas and helping to control flooding
and soil erosion. While the dam faces several challenges, the Karnataka StateGovernment has
initiated several plans and projects to address these challenges and ensure the long-term
sustainability of the dam.The HARANGI Dam is a vital infrastructure project that has significantly
contributed to the development of the Kodagu district in Karnataka. Its impact on agriculture,
flood control, and water supply has transformed the region, benefiting local communities and
supporting economic growth. Despite facing challenges such as environmental concerns and
maintenance issues, the dam remains a key asset for the state, and with proper management, it
can continue to serve the region for years to come. The dam’s scenic beauty and role in
promoting sustainable development make it an important landmark in the region
The Harangi Dam, a stellar example of modern engineering, has transformed the lives of people
in Karnataka, India, by providing a reliable source of hydroelectric power, irrigation, and drinking
water. Its robust structure and efficient design have effectively harnessed the water resources of
the Harangi River, supporting the local economy, agriculture, and ecosystem.
The dam's impact extends beyond its functional benefits, as it has also contributed to the
region's environmental sustainability and social development. By regulating the river's flow, the
dam has helped mitigate flood risks, protect biodiversity, and support the livelihoods of
communities dependent on the river.As a vital component of the region's infrastructure, the
Harangi Dam has demonstrated its significance in promoting sustainable development,
environmental conservation, and improved livelihoods. Its successful operation serves as a
model for future water resource management projects, showcasing the potential for engineering
solutions to drive positive change and support the well-being of communities.