Diversion Schemes

River diversion scheme is a traditional irrigation method. The scheme comprises of a bund / barrier (weir) constructed across the stream for raising and diverting water; the weir that diverts water from river. The scheme aims at providing gravity flow irrigation by mere diversion of stream water supply without creating any storage. As compared to storage schemes they are economical but their feasibility is dependent on the flow in the stream at the time of actual irrigation requirements.

• Palakapandy Diversion Scheme

  This scheme is intended to divert excess water from the Palakapandy river to the chulliyar dam and thus assure distribution of water in the entire ayacut of Chulliyar dam. Water from the project could be used to irrigate around 3,500 hectares of farms at Kollengode, Muthalamada, Elavancherry and Vadakarapathy panchayats. This work is in good progress

  Salient Features of Palakapandi Diversion Scheme
  Name of Project	Palakapandi Diversion Scheme
  Type of Project (Major/ Medium)	Medium
  Type of Project	Diversion
  Purpose of Project	Irrigation
  Name of the River	Bharathapuzha
  Name of Tributary	Bharathapuzha
  Status (Completed / on-going/ proposed)	OnGoing
  State Name	Kerala
  Basin/s Involved	West flowing rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari
  Culturable Command Area (CCA) (Th ha)	3.5
  District's Benefitted	Palakkad

   

   

• Chalakudy Diversion Scheme

  
  This Project in Thrissur district involves the construction of a weir at Thumboormuzhi across the Chalakudy river and diverting the water for Irrigation purpose, which is an integral part of the Idamalayar Irriation Project. Water from this project is used for irrigating about 19690 Ha of land in Mukundapuram, Alwaye and Kunnathunadu Taluk . The stage I of the scheme comprising a weir at Thumboormuzhi across Chalakudy river and a part of the canal system was commissioned during 1957 and stage II in 1966.

  Canal	Length in Km
  Right Bank Main canal	48.2
  Left Bank Main canal	33.2
  Branches and distributaries	280.8

  Salient Features
  Type	Diversion
  Composition	gravity type construction in mass concrete with coarse rubble casing
  Purpose	Irrigation
  Ayacut area	19690 Ha
  Catchment area (Km² )	1178Km²
  Completion	1957 - stage I                 1966 - stage II
  Location	Thumboormuzhi
  District	Thrissur
  Basin	Chalakudy
  Longitude	76°26’30” E
  Latitude	10°10’ N
  Full Reservoir Level	+203 m

   

• Chitturpuzha Diversion scheme

  

  Chitturpuzha Irrigation scheme in Palakkad district, comprises the construction of Moolathara regulator, Thenbaramadakku anicut and re-modeling the existing 3 old anicuts viz. Kunnamkattupathy, Nurnee and Nurnee Alankadavu . The project started in 1963 and was commissioned during 1993.

  During the early years of 1960, a dam was constructed at Aliyar in the upper reaches of Chitturpuzha by Tamil Nadu Government in the area falling in that State. This reduced the flow of water to the downstream side causing drought in the anicut areas. An Inter State agreement was made between Governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and as per the agreement the total quantity of water to be released annually to Chitturpuzha scheme should be 7250 Mcft. Taking into account the availability of water, a consolidated development programme was envisaged combining the scheme and inter linking with other projects like Walayar, Meenkara and Chittur.

   The four anicuts mentioned above were constructed across the river Chitturpuzha, a tributary of Bharathapuzha, and from these independent systems, facility for irrigation is being provided to Chittur Taluk for the last hundred years through diversion canals. The Scheme also intended in the remodeling and extension of the old canal system to irrigate an area of 14500 Ha.

  There are 2 Nos. of lift irrigation schemes in Moolathara LB canal. Its ayacut area is 1200 ha. The length of regulator at Moolathara is 144.84 m with 13 vents. The spillway is gravity type with ogee curve. The FRL of the regulator is at +184.405 m and its capacity at this level is 19 Mcft . The road over the regulator is 4.27 m wide at +185.93m.

  Salient features
  Type	Diversion
  Composition	gravity type construction in mass concrete
  Purpose	Irrigation
  Ayacut area	14500 Ha
  Catchment area  (Km²)
  Completion	1992
  Location	Moolathara
  District	Palakkad
  Basin	Bharathapuzha
  Longitude	76°53’ E
  Latitude	10°40’ N
  Full Reservoir Level	+184.405 m

   

• Pazhassi Diversion Scheme

  

  The Pazhassi Irrigation Scheme was the first Irrigation scheme taken up in north Malabar region of Kannur District. The Pazhassi Irrigation scheme in Kannur district is a Diversion Scheme across Valapatanam River to provide Irrigation to 11525 hectares of land for the 1st and 2nd crop in Kannur, Thalassery and Taliparamba Taluks of Kannur District.              
  
  The scheme consists of a diversion barrage at Kuiloor across Valapatanam River and carries water through a canal system to irrigate 11525 Ha. The reservoir is the main source of water supply to Kannur, Thalassery and Mahe Municipalities and other nearby 12 panchayaths. Irikkur water supply scheme also takes water from Pazhassi reservoir. Pazhassi head works attracts good number of tourists. The project was started in 1961 and partially commissioned during 1979 by Ex: Prime Minister Late: Mr. Moraji Desai.

  Salient features
  Name	Pazhassi
  Type	Diversion barrage
  Composition	Masonry
  Purpose	Irrigation
  Ayacut area	11525 Ha
  Catchment area	640 Km²
  Completion	1992
  Location	Kuiloor
  District	Kannur
  Basin	Valapattanam
  Longitude	75° 37’ E
  Latitude	11° 59’ N
  Full Reservoir Level	+26.52 m