Ujjani Dam
Ujani Dam Bhima Dam | ||
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Annual generation | 105 GWh initial years reducing to 21 GWh later as irrigation develops |
Ujjani Dam, also known as Bhima Dam or Bhima Irrigation Project, on the Bhima River, a tributary of the Krishna River, is an earthfill cum Masonry gravity dam located near Ujjani village of Madha Taluk in Solapur district of the state of Maharashtra in India.[1][2][3][4]
The Bhima River, which originates in
The reservoir created by the 56.4 m (185 ft) high earth cum concrete gravity dam on the Bhima River has a gross storage capacity of 3.320 km3 (0.797 cu mi). The annual utilization is 2.410 km3 (0.578 cu mi).[4] The project provides multipurpose benefits of irrigation, hydroelectric power, drinking, and industrial water supply and fisheries development. The irrigation supplies benefit 500 km2 (190 sq mi) of agricultural land, particularly in the Solapur district. Water supplied from the reservoir to irrigate agricultural areas primarily aims to reduce the incidence of famines and scarcity during drought conditions. The reservoir operation also lessens the threat due to floods to cities such as Pandharpur (an important religious pilgrimage centre for the Hindus). As a result of irrigation facilities, some of the important crops grown under irrigated conditions are sugarcane, wheat, millet and cotton.[3][7]
Geography
The Bhima River on which the Ujjani Dam has been built rises from Bhimashankar hills in the Western Ghats, also known as the
Climate
The basin experiences tropical monsoon climatic conditions. The rainfall is dictated by the southwest monsoon, which varies from 6,000–3,000 mm (240–120 in) (from South to North) near the North–South trending mountain range of the basin but drastically drops to 700 mm (28 in) within a distance of 70 km (43 mi) towards the east. The average annual precipitation of the basin above the dam in the Upper Bhima River Basin (UBB) has been assessed as 1,096 mm (43.1 in) out of which 945 mm (37.2 in) (87%) occurs during the four monsoon months (mid June to mid September). Thereafter, the basin falls under the rain shadow area towards the east with rainfall incidence ranging between 450–600 mm (18–24 in) and is thus under drought conditions quite frequently.[11]
Hydrology
Based on rainfall data and other characteristics of the basin, the average annual yield of the Upper Bhima River basin has been assessed as 7.373 km3 (1.769 cu mi). Since the Bhima River which is a major tributary of the Krishna River is an interstate river, the flows are shared by the Upper riparian state of Maharashtra with the lower riparian Karnataka state. The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal, in its award in the year 1976 permitted Maharashtra to use only 4.753 km3 (1.140 cu mi) from the Upper Bhima River Basin.[11] The Bhima or Ujjani dam has a planned annual utilization of 1.878 km3 (0.451 cu mi) (including evaporation losses).[1]
Features
The Ujjani Dam commissioned in June 1980 is an earth cum concrete masonry dam, which has created a multipurpose reservoir. The total length of the dam is 2,534 m (8,314 ft), which comprises a central portion which is the spillway dam of 602 m (1,975 ft) length, of concrete gravity section of 56.4 m (185 ft) (maximum height above the deepest foundation level). The spillway is flanked by Non Overflow (NOF) concrete gravity dams of 314 m (1,030 ft) length. Earth dam sections flank the NOF dams on the left and right banks. The volume content of the dams is 3.320 km3 (0.797 cu mi). The gross storage capacity created is 3.320 km3 (0.797 cu mi) at the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 497.58 m (1,632.5 ft).[1] The spillway, structure has an Ogee shaped downstream slope designed to dispose a design flood discharge of 15,717 m3/s (555,000 cu ft/s) (the maximum probable flood discharge of 18,013 m3/s (636,100 cu ft/s) and a breaching section is provided between the NOF block and the earth dam section, controlled by 41 radial gates of 12 m (39 ft)x6.5 m (21 ft) size erected over the crest of the dam. In addition, four river sluices (gate controlled) are also provided in the body of the spillway pier numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 with outlet level at 470 m (1,540 ft), with each sluice designed for a discharge capacity of 60 m3/s (2,100 cu ft/s) for silt flushing. The energy dissipation arrangements on the downstream slope of the spillway is in the form of high level and low level slotted roller bucket type. Measuring instruments have been installed in the body of the dam to record and analyse various parameters related to the behaviour of the dam over the years as part of the dam safety programme[1][4] The dam is founded on massive basaltic rock formations.
Reservoir
The reservoir created by the dam has a water spread area of 357 km2 (138 sq mi) at the High Flood Level (HFL) and 336.5 km2 (129.9 sq mi) at Full Reservoir Level causing submergence of land and houses in 82 villages.[1][4] The reservoir stretches upstream of the dam to a length of around 50 km, and the maximum width of the reservoir is 8 km (5.0 mi). The rim of the reservoir periphery measures 670 km (420 mi).[1]
As a result of reservoir submergence, realignment of railway line (of the
Two years after the commissioning of the project, the reservoir water quality was tested to establish its suitability for various uses. The physical and chemical analysis indicated that the pH values, free carbon dioxide, total hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, sulphates, calcium and magnesium were within prescribed limits. Heavy metals, copper and lead were not present. However, during the rainy season, the iron content though high, was found to be within permissible limits. Potassium and ammonia were within prescribed safe limits of acceptance for use of stored water for drinking, industrial use and for fish propagation.[12] However, since its creation in 1980, it is now recorded that substantial quantity of the untreated sewage is discharged into the streams which flow into the Ujjani Reservoir, particularly in the river stretch close to the Pune city.[6]
The reservoir created by the Ujjani dam is also one of the largest backwaters in
Benefits
The Ujjani Dam and its large reservoir provide multi-purpose benefits of irrigation,
Irrigation
Irrigation from the storage created in the reservoir are provided via two irrigation canal systems originating from the dam – The Left Bank Main Canal (LBMC) and The Right Bank Main canal (RBMC) – the LBMC is 126 km (78 mi) long, designed to carry a discharge of 109 m3/s (3,800 cu ft/s) and provides irrigation to a command of 688.4 km2 (265.8 sq mi) while the RBMC, which is 112 km (70 mi) long, designed to carry 42.5 m3/s (1,500 cu ft/s) provides irrigation benefits to an area of 44,100 m3/s (1,560,000 cu ft/s) through its network of canal system.[1]
Bhima to Sina interlink (Jod Kalava) with 21 km long tunnel from Ujjani reservoir is constructed to supply water for vast lands in catchment area of Sina tributary.
The storage created by the Ujjani Dam has resulted in the irrigation of 500 km2 (190 sq mi), particularly in Solapur district, resulting in doubling the yield of
Hydropower
A
During the drought year 2015, the inflows into the reservoir were very meagre due to the failure of rains in the catchment area. However, nearly 36 tmcft dead storage water available in the reservoir could not be used for the dire needs. With minor external modifications to the exiting reversible hydro turbine unit, all the dead storage water can be put to use during the drought years by using the hydro power plant for pumping water into the nearby left canal. Water would be released downstream into the tail pond through the existing river sluice gates. The pen stock of the hydro power unit is extended (less than 100 m long) to connect to the nearby left canal. The hydro power unit is operated in pumping mode to pump water from the tail pond to the left canal when the reservoir level is below the canal's minimum draw down level (MDDL). The pen stock extension piping is detached when water pumping to the canal is not required to restore its normal power generation when the reservoir level is above the left canal's MDDL[18]
Other benefits
The high density of phytoplankton (of many species) in the Ujjani Reservoir is conducive to proliferation of fish species.[19] Production of fish resources from the reservoir has been estimated at 712 tonnes per year, and 19 percent of the catch consists species of major carps. Fish yield is reported to be 2450 kg/km2 of the water spread area of the reservoir.[20]
Bird watching
With the water reservoir of Ujani Dam, Bhigwan is a small town developed on the Pune-Solapur Highway around 105 km from Pune which is on the backwaters of Ujani dam. Bhigwan is famous for birdwatching especially flamingos and wild life photography.[21][22] It is also known as mini Bharatpur.[23] Many kinds of Ducks, Herons, Egrets, Raptors and Waders along with flocks of hundreds of flamingos can be seen. Variety of birds at Bhigwan gives of sighting of almost all the prime bird species there and also creates great photographic opportunities for wildlife photographers. At times, 1,000-1,200 flamingos are seen.[24] The low rains and low water level has now reduced the number of flamingos over some years. It is a favorite spot for migratory birds, with more than 230 species found here. One can see flamingos, painted storks, bar-headed geese, demoiselle cranes, etc. These birds can be seen in the winter season between December and March. The bird generally migrates via marine routes and adult females depart from the breeding grounds .[25]
See also
- List of dams and reservoirs in Maharashtra
- List of dams and reservoirs in India
- Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Salient Features of Ujjani Project – Cada:Solapur". Solapurcada.org. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "National Register of Large Dams" (PDF). Maharashtra: Ujjini Dam. Central water Commission, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Irrigation". Major Irrigation Works. The Gazetteers Department, Government of Maharashtra.
- ^ a b c d e f "Major Existing Water Resources Projects in the Krishna Basin". Bhima Irrigation Project. Hydrology and Water Resources Information System for India. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ISBN 978-81-313-0267-5. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ a b c "Ujjain Reservoir in Pune District; Maharashtra India; A World Lake Vision Candidatewaiting for ecological restoration" (PDF). Shrishti Eco-Research Institute(SERI). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-85229-760-5. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Report of Environmental Status of Pune Region" (PDF). Envis, Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ "Bhima River". Britannica Concise article. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Ujani likely to be on global map". Times of India. 11 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ a b Vidyanand Ranade (2006). "Participatory Irrigation Management and mini watershed development for well being of the community". riversymposium.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ISBN 81-7141-579-2. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Ujani Dam: Theme: Save the Birds". Environmental Information Centre, Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Bhima Command Area Development Project". operations.ifad.org. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Ujjani Hydroelectric Project". Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-4020-5179-1. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ Modern power systems, Volume 4, Issues 7–12. Miller Freeman Publications. 1984. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Ujjani Dam D02963". Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- ISBN 978-81-7764-550-7. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ISBN 978-81-7035-198-6. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ Bhigwan
- ^ Bhigwan low on flamingos this year
- ^ Bhigwan is a new flock-spot for birding near Mumbai
- ^ Bhigwan
- ^ Birders at Bhigwan get a rare treat