To assess the level of sedimentation in the water spread area at Stanley Reservoir in Mettur Dam and suggest methods for desilting, a three-member team from Centre began its study here on Wednesday.
The team includes R. Krishnan, Deputy Chief Engineer, V. Saidhanyamurthy, Basin Quality Management Engineer and K. Arun Kumar, Environmental Inspector, from Water and Power Consultancy Services Limited (WAPCOS), a Central government undertaking.
Accompanied by Assistant Executive Engineer of Mettur Dam, Vasanthan, and Assistant Engineer Singaravelu, the team inspected the water spread area of 59.25 square mile in a boat and studied the sedimentation level at a few places. The team would also study whether removing silt would affect the environment, fishing and animals in the forest areas as the water is the major source. Also, the reduction in storage capacity due to sedimentation, methods to remove it and other aspects would be studied and a detailed project report (DPR) would be submitted in three months, based on which action would be taken.
Sources told The Hindu that sedimentation survey was carried out in the dam in 1978, 1984 and in 2004. But desilting was not carried out even once in the 80-year-old dam.
Though the Full Reservoir Level was 120 feet and the dam’s capacity was 93.470 tmcft, due to sedimentation, there is a huge storage loss, they added.
A similar survey was carried out in 1978, 1984 and in 2004. But desilting was not carried out even once in the 80-year-old dam.
