Jalaput Dam

The Jalaput Dam is a hydroelectric dam built on the Machkund River, a tributary of the Godavari River[1] in India which rises in the Mudugal hills of Visakhapatnam District and nearby Ondra Gadda it becomes the boundary between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. For over 48 km the river runs nearly north along a meandering course through the Padwa Valley. About 48 km south of Jeypore, it winds westward along the edge of the Plateau and then suddenly tums at a short angle to the southwest down a steep descent popularly known as Duduma Falls. Jalaput Dam (and Reservoir) impounds 34.273 TMC of water for the needs of down stream 120 MW Machkund HydroElectric Scheme (MHES), which is in operation since 1955. The dam and the MHES are the joint projects of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states. The existing six number power generation units have become old and obsolete compared to latest technology. It is much economical to install a new hydroelectric scheme with a 15 km long tunnel utilizing nearly 400 meters available level drop between Jalaput reservoir and the existing Balimela Reservoir back waters. There is also possibility to install huge capacity Pumpedstorage hydroelectricity station for the needs of peaking power utilising high high water level drop. This reservoir will serve as upper pond and existing Balimela reservoir as tail pond for installing Pumpedstorage hydroelectricity units. Thus this reservoir water can be put to use more productively. The existing MHES[2] can also be kept in operation by diverting the surplus water from the nearby upper Kolab reservoir[3] into the Machkund river basin by joining with nearly 4 km long tunnel. This would facilitate to utilise excess water from the upper Kolab reservoir for enhanced electricity generation in MHES and downstream Balimela power house by using nearly 200% more availabile head in Sileru river basin before putting finally for irrigation use.