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.
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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
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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
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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
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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