Neyyar Dam

Neyyar dam is a gravity dam on the Neyyar River in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, South India, located on the foot of the Western Ghats about 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram.[1] It was established in 1958 and is a popular picnic spot. Lying against the southern low hills of the Western Ghats, Neyyar Dam has a scenic lake.

Neyyar Dam
Neyyar Dam
Location of Neyyar Dam in India
Neyyar Dam (Kerala)
Neyyar Dam (Tamil Nadu)
LocationKerala, India
Coordinates8°32′5″N 77°8′45″E
Opening date1958
Operator(s)Government of Kerala
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity
Height56 m (184 ft)
Length294 m (965 ft)
Dam volume105,000 m3 (3,708,040 cu ft)
Spillway capacity809 m3/s (28,570 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Total capacity1,060,000,000 m3 (859,356 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity1,010,000,000 m3 (818,820 acre⋅ft)
Surface area91 km2 (35 sq mi)

Design

The Neyyar Dam is a Rubble masonry gravity-type dam with a height of 56 m (184 ft) and length of 295 m (968 ft). Its structural volume is 105,000 m3 (3,708,040 cu ft). The dam creates a reservoir of 106,200,000 m3 (86,098 acre⋅ft) of which 101,000,000 m3 (81,882 acre⋅ft) is active (useful) capacity. The reservoir's surface area is 91 km2 (35 sq mi) and the dam's spillway has an 809.40 m3/s (28,584 cu ft/s) maximum discharge capacity.[2]

Wildlife
Panorama of Neyyar river

Wild life includes gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat and Nilgiri langur, wild elephants and sambar deer.

Activities
Watch tower at Neyyar Dam
Yoga

Neyyar Dam is home to the beautiful and peaceful Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram where you can take courses in Yoga and practice meditation. The trees that are growing inside the Ashram are astonishing by their height and vigor, which is due to both care by the people.Try drinking the juice from a local coconut and eating the white milky lining. On the journey from Trivandrum you will see rubber plantations and the local harvest of the white latex that comes from the trees.

Boating

Tourists can hire a speed boat for Rs 250 per head to view the surrounding forests.[1]

Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre

A crocodile farm was set up in 1977. It also includes a habitat for otters near the administrative complex. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary was named initially by the Kerala government after the late naturalist Steve Irwin as Steve Irwin National Park.

Attractions

Transport

The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (38 km) and the nearest railway station is at Thiruvananthapuram (30 km).

How to Reach Neyyar Dam:

There is a regular Bus Service from the city of Thiruvananthapuram and the nearest Railway Station is also Thiruvananthapuram, 32 km from the Neyyar Dam. One can also come via the International Thiruvananthapuram Airport to Neyyar Dam, which is just 38 km away.

References
  1. South India Handbook By Roma Bradnock
  2. "National Register of Large Dams - India" (PDF). Central Water Commission. p. 84. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
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