Check Dam

 Case Study of Check Dam Constructed at Kosavankuttai Village of Valavanthi

Combai Panchayat in Sendamangalam Union of Namakkal District

Title:
Type Of St ruct ure : Check Dam

Village Name : Kosavankut t ai

Panchayat : Valavant hi Combai

Union : Sendamangalam

Dist rict : Namakkal

 Programme:

Programme : NRDWP 2009 -2010

 Introduction:

 General:

Namakkal district is one of the interior districts of Tamil Nadu and is bounded by North latitude
110 00’00”N and 110 36’ 10”N & East longitude 770 40’ 00”E and 780 30’ 00”E. The river Cauvery is
fringing the western and southern boundary of the district and is bordered by Kolli hills in eastern
side. The average annual rainfall is 775.7 mm.

The groundwater potential as well as the groundwater quality may be improved by the
construction of check dams across the small tributaries to rivers, streams, odais etc. By these
methods, the rainwater can be impounded by the recharge structures and thereby recharge the
groundwater. The TWAD Board has constructed numerous recharge structures like Check dams
across streams and small rivers near water supply sources to augment its quantity and quality in
Namakkal district.

In order to recharge the existing ground water sources in this district, check dams, Ooranies, and
recharging through defunct borewells have been constructed under various programmes such as
PMGY, NABARD, ARWSP, AGWRS, NRDWP etc.
A check dam has been constructed across the local stream near Kosavankuttai village in order to
augment the water supply source ie open well source for Bommasamutram. This check dam has
been taken for a case study.

 Existing Water Supply Inf rastructure:

Water supply is being effected to Bommasamutram village Sendamangalam union from an existing
openwell available near local stream near Kosavankuttai of Valavanthi Combai Panchayat in
Sendamangalam Union. The Geographical Co- ordinate of the openwell is 11”19’02.964”N and 78”
18’14.665”E and the altitude is 215.91 m above MSL.

At present, water supply is being supplied through 60,000 litres capacity over head tank to
Bommasamutram with open well near Kosavankuttai as source.(Location of Overhead tank :
11017’40.489” N and 78015’35.095”E and Altitude 201.27m).

 Location of Structure:

A detailed investigation was carried out by studying rock type, weathering thickness, slope, soil
type, catchment area, flow details during monsoon period etc in Kosavankuttai area. Based on the
study, a check dam to a length of 15 m was recommended near the existing open well source
across (for Bommasamutram village) the local stream originating from Kolli hills. A Check Dam (a
length of 15 m) was constructed in the recommended location. The check dam is located on the
upstream side of the existing water supply open well in the local stream. The flow direction of the
stream is from East to West.
The Geographical Co- ordinates of the Check Dam as measured by GPS Instrument Trimble Juno
SB –Terra sync is 110 19’ 04.094” N and 780 18’ 15.029”E and Altitude is 224.76m. The catchment
area of the check dam is 7.5 km2 .The location of check dam, catchment area map, field photos
before and after construction of the check dam are presented below.

 Hydrogeology:

The study area comprises hard crystalline rock which includes granite, garnetiferous gneisses and
charnockite.

The weathered zone thickness noticed from well sections is ranging from 15m to 30 m. The soil
cover noticed is red soil. The area has medium slope and it is a bazada zone.

 Rainf all:

The month wise rainfall recorded in Sendamangalam rain gauge station for the year 2009 and 2010
is tabulated. The rainfall measured by this rain gauge actually reflects the rainfall in the area of the
Check Dam. Normal annual rainfall to be received is 775.7mm.

Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- April- May- June- July- Aug- S
09 09 09 09 09 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 1

230 92 53 108 45 0 0 0 18 154 114 82 121 1

 Ground Sater Level:

The ground water level from the open well (water supply source) in the downstream side of the
check dam has been measured periodically to study the water level fluctuation in the area before
and after construction of Check Dam. The water level data is tabulated. The water level is in m bgl.

(Before Construction Aug- Oct- Dec- Jan- May- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec-
09) 09 09 10 10 10 10 10 10

8.6 8.2 8.5 9.0 9.6 9.1 4.6 4.0 3.0

 Cost:

T he Est imat ed Cost : Rs. 4.07lakhs

T he Execut ed Cost : Rs.3.98 Lakhs

T he Dat e Of Commencement : 31.7.2009

T he Dat e Of Complet ion : 15.1.2010

 Analysis:

 Cost- Benefit Analysis f or the Check Dam:

a) Details of the Check Dam:

Lengt h Of T he Check Dam : 15 M

Height Of Check Dam : 1.2 M

Cost : Rs.3.98 Lakhs

Nearest Raingauge St at ion : Sendamangalam

b) Storage Capacity of the Check Dam:

Maximum Lengt h Of T he Wat er Spread Area : 250 M

Widt h : 15 M

Effect ive Height : 0.5 M

Volume Of Wat er Stored : 250 X 15 X 0.5 = 1875 M3

c) Calculation:

Taking Evaporation loss as 10 %.

Then balance quantity of water available in the check dam =1875 - ( 1875 X 0.1 ) = 1687 m3.

Hence a quantity of 1687 m3 of water will be infiltered into the ground on construction of the
check dam.

If the check dam has not been constructed, only a little quantity of water ( say 10 % of 1687 m3 =
169 m3 would have recharged into the ground.

Hence the additional quantity of water recharged to ground water storage by the check dam =1687
– 169 = 1518 m3.

d) Benefit from the check dam:

Generally, the check dam will be filled up twice in a year under normal rainfall.

Hence a quantity of ( 2 X 1518) of 3036 m3 of water will be added to the ground water storage.
Out of the above storage ,

Agriculture usage : 80%.

Water supply usage :20 % shall be allotted.

Because of the check dam , 20 % of 3036 m3 , say 607 m3 of additional quantity of water is
available for drinking purpose in a year.

 Pumping Rate/ Energy Savings:

After construction of check dam, during monsoon the ground water level rises and hence the
potential for drinking water sources is improved and due to this, the consumption of electricity is
considerably reduced since the hours of pumping is reduced.

 Water Level Analysis:

During monsoon period all the rain water is drained as run- off. Due to the construction of check
dam some portion of the rain water is retained and allowed to percolate in to the ground and
thereby the water level in the nearby area is substantially increased. This is being observed
periodically from an open well available near to the check dam. The observed data show that the
water level is being maintained for an additional period of four to five months. The impact of check
dam on water level during rainy periods is improvement of ground water level rise considerably and
to maintain the level for a certain period even after the monsoon period.

 Water Quality Analysis:

The ground water samples from the observation well near the check dam have been collected
before (August 2009) and after construction of the check dam (December 2010) and tested for
important chemical parameters.
Water sample analysis result – Kosavankuttai Observatoion well is given below.

Parameter Before Construction Of CD After Construction Of CD

In Mg/L During Summer During Monsoon

T DS 765 345

Tot al
348 96
Hardness

Calcium (Ca) 86 22

Magnesium
32 10
(Mg)

Sodium (Na) 29 52

Pot t asium
19 9
(K)

Iron (Fe) 0.15 0.15

Nit rat e (NO3) 14 7

Chloride (Cl2) 140 52

Flouride ( F) 0.4 0

Sulphat e
76 42
(SO4)

The analysis shows that there is an improvement in water quality because of the construction of
check dam.

 Any Other Relevant Aspect:

View of t he Public
The public are happy to have this recharge structure in this area and they have expressed their
satisfaction. The farmers have also expressed their gratitude by saying that due to the
construction of this Check dam, the storage of water in this area is retained for an additional
period of 2 to 3 months which helps for their effective cultivation.
 Conclusion :

Construction of such recharge structures will help augmenting the ground water resources both
for drinking and agriculture requirements.