| Kapila | |
|---|---|
 Kapila River from Kabinigiri, Kerala | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Karnataka,Karnataka |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Panamaram |
| • location | Wayanad district,kerala,India |
| • coordinates | 11°48′01″N76°04′29″E / 11.80028°N 76.07472°E /11.80028; 76.07472 |
| Mouth | Tirumakudal Narsipur |
• location | Mysore district,Karnataka,India |
• coordinates | 12°12′56″N76°54′40″E / 12.21556°N 76.91111°E /12.21556; 76.91111 |
TheKabini River is one of the major tributaries of the riverCauvery in southernIndia, It originates inWayanad district ofKerala state by the confluence of thePanamaram River and theMananthavady River. It flows eastward throughWayanad district, enteringMysore district ofKarnataka, to join theKaveri River inMysore district ofKarnataka.[1]
Close to the town ofSargur it forms the hugeKabini Reservoir. Thebackwaters of the Kabini reservoir are very rich in wildlife especially in summer when the water level recedes to form rich grassy meadows. The Kabini dam is 2,284 ft (696 m) in length with an original gross storage of 19.52 tmcft. The Kabini Dam is situated between villages Bichanahalli and Bidarahalli having distance of 17 km (11 mi) 6 km away fromSargur town in Heggadadevana kote taluk,Mysore district, Karnataka.[2]
The Kabini Forest Reserve is one of the most popularwildlife destinations of Karnataka, due to its accessibility, green landscape surrounding a large lake, and sightings of herds of elephants and tigers. It is 61 km (38 mi) away from Mysuru and 205 km (127 mi) fromBengaluru, and comprises the south-eastern part ofNagarahole National Park. The reserve is spread over 55 acres (22 ha) of forestland, steep valleys, and water bodies. Once a private hunting lodge of theMaharaja of Mysore, Kabini was a popularshikar hotspot forBritish Viceroys and Indian royalty.[3] There are around 120 tigers, more than 100 leopards, four types of deer, Sloth bear, Indian Gaurs and elephants in the Nagarahole National Park.[4]
The river originates in the Pakramthalam hills atKuttiady-Mananthavady road. Makkiyad river and Periya river join it near Korome and Valad respectively. After flowing throughMananthavady town,Panamaram river joins Kabini near Payyampally. One branch of the Panamaram river starts from theBanasura Sagar reservoir near Padinjarethara and the other branch of the river start fromLakkidi hills. After traversing 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the confluence of Panamaram river kabini forms an island calledKuruva Island, spreading over 520 acres (2.1 km2) with diverse flora and fauna. Within 20 km (12 mi) it reaches the kabini reservoir borderingKerala andKarnataka for some distance. Between kabini reservoir and Kuruva island Kalindi river joins kabini. Kalindi river originates fromBrahmagiri hills which on reaching nearThirunelli Temple the rivuletPapanasini joins it. Taraka and Nugu are the two small rivers in Heggadadevana kote taluk that join the Kapila (Kabini river).[5]
| Kabini dam | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Interactive map of Kabini dam | |
| Coordinates | 11°58′25″N76°21′10″E / 11.9735°N 76.3528°E /11.9735; 76.3528 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earthen Dam with Left Bankspillway |
| Impounds | Kapila River |
| Height | 166 ft. aboveRiver Bed Level |
| Length | 12,927 ft. |
TheKabini dam is built on the River Kapila in the district ofMysore. The dam is 696 meters in length and was built in 1974. The exact location of the dam is near village Beechanahally, in TalukHeggadadevanakote. The catchment area of the dam is 2,141.90 km2. It caters to the needs of around 22 villages and 14 hamlets and also a prominent source of drinking water to Mysuru andBengaluru. Further significant amount of water is discharged to theMettur reservoir inTamil Nadu to fulfill the state's needs.[6]
The dam is spread over an area of 55 hectares covering forests, rivers, lakes andvalleys. This dam also provides water to the combined system of Sagaredoddakere and Upper Nugu Dams. There is an arrangement of lifting and transfer of 28.00 TMC of water during themonsoons months from the kabini dam to the other two smaller dams.[7]
TheKabini Bridge on this river is aHeritage monument.[8]
