Background[edit]

The region of Mysore and especially Mandya had historically been dry and had
witnessed mass migration to adjoining areas in the hot summers. A severe drought in
1875–76 had wiped out one-fifth of the population of the Kingdom of Mysore. Crop
failures were common due to lack of water for irrigation.[4] The Kaveri river was seen as
a potential source of irrigation water for the farmers in and around Mysore in the
erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore.

Survey and plan[edit]

The Chief Engineer of Mysore M. Visvesvaraya presented a blueprint of a dam to be

built across the river near the village of Kannambadi. However, he faced opposition
from the finance ministry of the government of Mysore, who said the project would
"serve no purpose" and that the electricity produced from it would not be of complete
use due to lack in demand. He then approached T. Ananda Rao, the Diwan of
Mysore and the Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV for a reconsideration.[5] Upon
examining, the latter gave his consent issuing an order on 11 October 1911 to begin the
project and a sum of ₹81 lakhwas set aside for it. Madras Presidency then opposed the
project and urged the imperial government to not approve it. Upon Visvesvaraya's
persuasion, the government consented. However, the initial plan to build a dam 194-feet
high to hold an estimated 41,500,000,000 cu ft (1.18 km3) of water had to be dropped.[1]

Construction[edit]

Construction began in November 1911, and 10,000 workers were employed. A mortar
known as surki was used in place of cement, as the latter was not manufactured in India
at the time and importing would prove costly for the state. [5] By the time construction
completed in 1931, around 5,000 to 10,000 persons had lost their homes to the project.
However, they were rehabilitated and provided with agricultural land in the adjacent
areas by the government.[5]
Operation[edit]

In place of spillways that prevents over-topping of dams, Visvesvaraya employed 48

automatic gates that open and close at the rise and fall of water in the reservoir, in six
sets, with eight in each. Each gate consists of a sill, lintel, and side grooves and plates;
balance weight; float; chains and pulleys; and inlet and outlet pipes. The gates are
made of cast iron and were manufactured at the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel
Plant in Bhadravati.[6]

The eight sets of gates are connected by means of chains and pulleys to a dead weight,
which in turn is connected to a float, making up the 'balance weight' together, working
inside a masonry well, both on the rear of the dam. The dead weight and float are
placed one behind the other so as to have four gates on each side of it. When all the
eight gates close the sluice, the balance weight moves to the top of its swing and the
float to the bottom of the well. The well has an inlet pipe 1 ft (0.30 m) in diameter from
the reservoir that allows water in when the reservoir reaches maximum permissible level
causing the float to rise, the balance weight to fall pulling the gates up allowing
discharge of water. In the same mechanism, the well gets emptied through an exit pipe
when water level in the reservoir falls.[6]

Dam[edit]

Foundation Stone to dam was laid on 11th November 1911. The dam was built across
river Kaveri in 1924. It is the main source of water for the districts of Mysore. The water
is used for irrigation in Mysore and Mandya, and it is the main source of drinking water
for all of Mysore, Mandya and almost the whole of Bengaluru city, the capital
of Karnataka. [7] The water released from this dam flows into the state of Tamil
Nadu and is stored in Mettur dam in the Salem district. [8]

Brindavan Gardens[edit]

Main article: Brindavan Gardens

The Brindavan Gardens is a show garden that has a botanical park, with fountains, as
well as boat rides beneath the dam. Diwan Sir Mirza Ismail of Mysore planned and built
the gardens in connection with the construction of the dam. KRS Dam was the first to
install automated Crest gates during 1920, which was initiated by Sir. M V. Display
items include a musical fountain. Various biological research departments are housed
here. There is a guest house, a state run hotel, Hotel Mayura Kauvery KRS and a four-
star luxury heritage hotel Royal Orchid for tourists.

Flora and fauna[edit]

KRS Dam & Garden

The landscape of the area represents a complexity of agricultural land, rural habitation,
sparingly spread trees and patches of original vegetation at the close by Ranganathittu
Wildlife Sanctuary, which attracts wide varieties of local and migrant birds. Nearly 220
species[9] of birds have been recorded here in large numbers.