Neyyar Dam
title: "Neyyar Dam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["dams-in-thiruvananthapuram-district", "reservoirs-in-kerala", "tourist-attractions-in-thiruvananthapuram-district", "dams-completed-in-1958", "1958-establishments-in-kerala", "20th-century-architecture-in-india"] topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neyyar_Dam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox dam"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Neyyar Dam |
| image | Neyyar Dam Full View.jpg |
| image_caption | Neyyar Dam |
| dam_crosses | Neyyar river |
| coordinates | |
| location_map | India Kerala#India |
| location | Kerala, India |
| operator | Government of Kerala |
| dam_length | 294 m |
| dam_height | 56 m |
| dam_volume | 105000 m3 |
| dam_type | G |
| spillway_capacity | 809 m3/s |
| opening | |
| res_capacity_total | 1060000000 m3 |
| res_capacity_active | 1010000000 m3 |
| res_surface | 91 km2 |
| status | O |
| spillway_count | 4 |
| :: |
| name = Neyyar Dam | image = Neyyar Dam Full View.jpg | image_caption = Neyyar Dam | dam_crosses = Neyyar river | coordinates = | location_map = India Kerala#India | location = Kerala, India | operator = Government of Kerala | dam_length = 294 m | dam_height = 56 m | dam_volume = 105000 m3 | dam_type = G | spillway_capacity = 809 m3/s | dam_width_base = | construction_began = | opening = | cost = | res_name = | res_capacity_total = 1060000000 m3 | res_capacity_active = 1010000000 m3 | res_catchment = | res_surface = 91 km2 | plant_turbines = | plant_capacity = | plant_annual_gen = | extra = | website = | status = O | spillway_count = 4 Neyyar dam is a gravity dam on the Neyyar River in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, South India, located on the foot of the Western Ghats about 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It was established in 1958 and is a popular picnic spot.The Neyyardam was built in the land given by a famous agriculturist and landlord Mr. Karuvachi Krishnan Panicker,(Father of Kallikkad Kesavan Panicker(Father of Kallikad Ramachandran) ) Maruthummootil, Kallikkad and many of his family members from Kallikkad.
History
Neyyar 2nd State (relates to both Madras and Kerala States) Government of Kerala started work on the project in their area in October 1956.
Design
The Neyyar Dam is a rubble masonry gravity-type dam with a height of 56 m and length of 295 m. Its structural volume is 105000 m3. The dam creates a reservoir of 106200000 m3 of which 101000000 m3 is active (useful) capacity. The reservoir's surface area is 91 km2 and the dam's spillway has an 809.40 m3/s maximum discharge capacity. One of the contractors who built the Neyyar Dam was Mr Jagathy Chellappan Contractor of Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram.
Wildlife
Wild life includes Gaur, Sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Jungle cat, Nilgiri langur, Wild elephants and Sambar deer.
Activities
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Watch_tower_at_Neyyar_Dam.JPG" caption="Watch tower at Neyyar Dam"] ::
;Yoga Neyyar Dam is home to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram where people can take courses in yoga and practice meditation. The trees that are growing inside the ashram are large due to care by the people.
;Boating Tourists can hire a speed boat for Rs 250 per head to view the surrounding forests.
;Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre A crocodile farm was set up in 1977. It also includes a habitat for otters near the administrative complex. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary was named initially by the Kerala government after the late naturalist Steve Irwin as Steve Irwin National Park.
Attractions
- Lion safari park (Not open anymore due to the lions not breeding)
- Boating
- Deer park
- Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre
- Miniature wild life sanctuary
- Lake garden
- Swimming pool
- Watch tower
- Elephant riding
Transport
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 38 km away, and the nearest railway station is at Thiruvananthapuram, 30 km away.
References
References
- South India Handbook By Roma Bradnock
- https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1715/1/lsd_02_05_05-09-1958.pdf page 54
- "National Register of Large Dams - India". Central Water Commission.
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