Fifth check dam at unpolluted stretch of Cooum
Posted on: 18/Jan/2020 5:35:37 AM - No. of views : (4668)
Recharging the water table would be done soon as unpolluted stretch of Cooum in Tiruvallur district would get its 5th check dam. In Pudumavilangai village, work on the new check dam would take place.
Not many of us know that 72 km long river that branches out near Kesavaram anaicut is pristine till it reaches the urban stretches near Chennai. Water Resources Department of WRD has planned to build a check dam, wall like structure across the river for saving flood water. This was mainly to save the water that drains into the sea. There is one check dam present in Putlur village between Kesavaram anicut and Korattur anicut and new check dam would come up at about 12 km downstream the Kesavaram anaicut.
Across 100 m river width, a check dam would be built at a height of 2.25 m. It was mentioned by an official that there are plans to raise the flood banks to convert into a riverine reservoir and ensure water stagnation for a distance of 2 km.
There would be enough water for cultivating paddy and sugarcane by the residents of the surrounding villages like Agaram, Kaankolathur etc and this would be when the Rs 7.80 crore project get completed. It must be noted that the water table at a depth of 4-5 m would improve.
The excess water stored through new check dam in Pudumavilangai village would be diverted to the neighboring lakes in Kesavanallur, Agaram and Kadambathur by supply channels that branch out from the Cooum. This was as per some officials.
In the 2015 floods, Korattur anaicut was damaged and the check dam would be built upstream the Korattur anaicut. This Korattur anaicut has been playing crucial role in regulating excess flood water in Cooum to the Chembarambakkam Lake. It is known that Korattur anaicut was built in 1876 in Jamin Korattur.
