Author(s)

U. V. Siddamal & C. A. Birajdar

Abstract

An integrated Kukadi irrigation project in western ghat of Maharashtra state in India comprises of five dams built on the Kukadi River and its tributaries receiving seasonal rains. The water from four reservoirs namely Dimbhe, Manikdoh, Wadaj and Pimpalgaon Joge is fed to Yedgaon reservoir through canal and river. The command area of the Kukadi integrated system downstream of Yedgaon dam extends over three districts. The total irrigable command area under the entire Kukadi project is 156278 Ha. The irrigation requirement of the command area is increasing with completion of the canal system over a period of time. Thus storage in all five reservoirs is to be optimized to its full capacities by the end of monsoon following the approved reservoir operation schedule, to meet irrigation and drinking water requirements of the project for complete water year. In the Kukadi integrated project the works of five dams namely Yedgaon (1976), Wadaj (1975), Manikdoh (1986) Pimpalgaon Joge (1999) and Dimbhe (2001) are completed. The Reservoir has received a yield of more than 75% dependable yield only twice during the last 25 years since its completion. An integrated project comprising of five reservoirs is being severely affected due to less rains than estimated in the Manikdoh catchment area. Due to this fact the storage capacity of Manikdoh reservoir is underutilized and adversely affected the performance of the integrated Kukadi project, ultimately resulting in a great stress on the minds of management engineers to fulfill the targets with limited water resources. In contrast, the Dimbhe catchment is drawing increased yield than estimated and excess water spills over. The topographical suitability for linking two reservoirs is met with as Dimbhe reservoir is situated at higher elevation than Manikdoh reservoir. Keywords: integrated project, optimum water diversion, tunnel.

Keywords

integrated project, optimum water diversion, tunnel.