Kherkatta Reservoir, also known as Paralkot Reservoir,[1] is a man-made lake about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Pakhanjore in Chhattisgarh, India. It was constructed by the Dandakaranya Development Authority under the project Dandakaranya Project[2] in 1958 to assist the refugees who sought a place to settle.[3]
Kherkatta Dam | |
---|---|
Official name | Paralkot Reservoir |
Coordinates | 20°9′17.25″N 80°38′32.21″E |
Construction began | 1958 |
Opening date | 1964 |
Construction cost | 0.08 Crore Rs in 1964 |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Embankment, earth-fill |
Impounds | Matholi stream |
Height | 20 m (66 ft) |
Length | 610 m (2,000 ft) |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Kherkatta Reservoir |
Total capacity | 2,955,000 m3 (2,396 acre⋅ft) |
The Kherkatta Reservoir (Kherkatta Dam)[4] was constructed over an area of 1,300 acres over an estimated cost of Rs 0.08 crores. The year of completion of the reservoir is 1964. The dam is an earth-fill embankment-type the Matholi river. The height above the lowest foundation is 20 m. The length of dam is 610 m and the gross capacity of the dam is 2,955,000 million m3.[5]
According to the report submitted on YOJANA July 18, 1965 Page 16, Irrigation canals are being built in the command area of Umerkote Dam and Pakhanjore Dam.One hundred families have been settled around the Pakhanjore Dam, and they will rear ducks and fish and also vegetables. A scheme has been drawn up for a dairy and poultry centre on the banks of the Kotri river in Paralkote zone.[6]
The Kherkatta Reservoir was built in hopes of benefiting the locals with better irrigation and cultivation systems. [7] The reservoir consists of two major gates which release water every couple of years through its canals. The artificial lake is used to store water.[8]
The survey for Ichthyofaunal diversity study in the Pakhanjore Reservoir of Kanker District was mainly focused on Ichthyofaunal diversity. 25 Species of fishes belonging to 5 orders 11 family and 20 genera was recorded during the study. Cyprinidae were most dominant group represent by 12 species, Siluridae with 2 species, Ophiocephalidae with 2 species, Bagridae 1 species, Mestacemballidae with 2 species, Saccobranchidae 1 species, Claridae 1 species, Centropomidae 1 species, Notopteridae 1 species, Gobiidae 1 species and Cichlidae 1 species. This was the first ever study on the fish diversity of reservoir and would help in explore the fish fauna of Pakhanjore Dam.[9]
The actual utilisation as compared with the designed potential is very poor, about 69%. The reason could be the low rainfall or the low maintenance of the canal system. [10]
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