Kandaleru Reservoir

The Kandaleru Reservoir is one of the largest and most important reservoirs in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It plays a crucial role in the supply of water for various purposes, including irrigation, drinking water, and industrial use. Here’s an overview of the Kandaleru Reservoir, along with some important statistics and information:

Location:

District: The reservoir is located in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

River Basin: It is part of the Kandaleru River Basin and is connected to the Penneru River.

Key Statistics:

Capacity:

Full Reservoir Level (FRL): 68.04 meters

Storage Capacity: The total storage capacity of Kandaleru Reservoir is around 68 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet).

Catchment Area: The catchment area of the reservoir is approximately 4,306 square kilometres.

Water Supply:

It supplies water to the Telugu Ganga Project that serves both irrigation purposes in Andhra Pradesh and provides water to Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The Kandaleru-Poondi canal, which is part of the Telugu Ganga Project, is a major conduit for transferring water from Kandaleru to the Poondi reservoir near Chennai.

Length and Width of Dam:

The dam of the Kandaleru Reservoir is about 12 kilometres long and is one of the longest earthen dams in India.

Uses:

IrrigationIt irrigates thousands of acres of land in the Nellore district.

Drinking Water Supply: It provides a substantial portion of drinking water to the city of Chennai via the Telugu Ganga project.

Hydropower: Though not primarily used for power generation, the reservoir contributes to regional energy supply by feeding water into smaller hydropower stations.

Flood Management:

The reservoir also serves as a key flood control structure, especially during the monsoon season. It helps in managing excess water flow from the Kandaleru River, thus preventing floods in downstream areas.

Challenges:

The Kandaleru Reservoir, like many water bodies in India, faces issues like siltation, evaporation loss, and water theft along the canal networks. In addition, periodic droughts and inconsistent rainfall impact its water levels.

The Kandaleru-Poondi Canal serves as an important link in transferring water to Chennai, and ensuring the operational efficiency of this system is critical for both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.