Chembarambakkam Lake

Chembarambakkam lake is a lake located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, about 25 km from Chennai. It is one of the two rain-fed reservoirs from where water is drawn for supply to Chennai City, the other one being the Puzhal Lake. The Adyar River originates from this lake. A part of water supply of the metropolis of Chennai is drawn from this lake. This was the first Artificial lake built by Rajendra Chola I the son of Rajaraja Chola and Thiripuvana Madeviyar, prince of Kodumbalur.

Chembarambakkam Lake
Aerial view of the lake in September 2018
Chembarambakkam Lake
LocationKancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, South India
Coordinates13.01158°N 80.06063°E / 13.01158; 80.06063
TypeReservoir
Native nameசெம்பரம்பாக்கம் ஏரி  (Tamil)
Primary outflowsAdyar River
Basin countriesIndia
Surface area3,800 acres (15 km2)
SettlementsChennai

During Chennai's water crisis of 2019, Chembarambakkam Lake dried up.[1]

The lake

Chembarambakkam lake was known as Puliyur Kottam. It is one of the 24 kottams (villages) that existed even during the later Chola period in Thondai Mandalam which had Kanchipuram as its headquarters. The lake was built by Rajendra Chola, the son of Rajaraja Chola. [2]

  • The Full Tank Level is 85.40 ft (26.03 m).
  • The Full Capacity (mcft) of the lake is 3,645 million ft³ (108 million m³).
  • The Level of the tank in feet is 75.60 ft (23.04 m).

However, acute sedimentation has eaten more than 40% of its water holding strength.[3] There is an ancient Shiva temple and Kanni Koil located here.

Pipelines

There are two pipelines existing from the lake's water treatment plant. The existing pipeline on Poonamallee Bypass Road has the capacity to convey only half of the 530 million litres that can be treated at the plant. In 2012, Chennai Metrowater started evaluating the feasibility of laying a third pipeline with a diameter of about 2,000 mm from the Chembarambakkam water treatment plant at a cost of ₹ 650million, which will run parallel to the existing one for over 6.5 km.[4]

  • Chembarambakkam tank. Drinking water provider of chennai
  • 16-lock view of chembarambakkam tank
  • Main 5-lock view of chembarambakkam tank
  • Water gushing out of tank when water released during the sep-oct of 2011
  • Water gushing out of tank when water released during 2011

See also

References
  1. "Water Crisis In Chennai, Desperate Locals Pay Double For Private Supply: 10 Points". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  2. J, Mohan (9 December 2015). "A lifeline that ravaged Chennai". The Hindu. Chennai: The Hindu. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  3. Kotteeswaran, C.S. "Water, water... not many lakes to store". Deccan Chronicle. Chennai: Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  4. Lakshmi, K. (29 January 2012). "Metrowater moots a third pipeline". The Hindu. Chennai: The Hindu. Retrieved 31 January 2012.


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