View source for Krishna Raja Sagara

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox dam
| name                 = Krishna Raja Sagara (kRS DAM)
| name_official        = 
| image                = Krishna raja sagara dam.JPG
| image_size           = 
| image_caption        = 
| image_alt            = 
| location_map         = 
| location_map_size    = 
| location_map_caption = 
| location_map_alt     = 
| coordinates          = {{coord|12|25|29|N|76|34|20|E|type:landmark_region:IN_dim:2000|display=inline,title}}
| country              = India
| location             = [[Mandya]], [[Karnataka]]
| purpose              = Water supply, irrigation
| status               = O
| construction_began   = 1911
| opening              = 1932
| demolished           =
| cost                 = {{INRConvert|10.34|m}}<ref name="toi1"/>
| owner                = 
| operator             = Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited
| dam_type             = G
| dam_crosses          = [[Kaveri River]]
| dam_length           = {{convert|2620|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_height           = {{convert|39.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_elevation_crest  = 
| dam_width_crest      = 
| dam_width_base       = 
| dam_volume           = 
| spillway_type        = 
| spillway_capacity    = 
| res_name             = Krishna Raja Sagara
| res_capacity_total   = {{convert|abbr=on|1368847000|m3|acre ft}}
| res_capacity_active  = {{convert|abbr=on|124421000|m3|acre ft}}
| res_capacity_inactive= 
| res_catchment        = {{convert|abbr=on|10619|km2|sqmi}}
| res_surface          = {{convert|abbr=on|129|km2|sqmi}}
| res_max_length       = 
| res_max_width        =
| res_max_depth        = 
| res_elevation        = 
| plant_operator       = 
}}
'''Krishna Raja Sagara''', also popularly known as '''KRS''', is a [[lake]] and the [[dam]] that creates it. They are close to the settlement of [[Hongahalli, Mandya|Krishna Raja Sagara]] in the Indian [[States and union territories of India|State]] of [[Karnataka]]. The [[gravity dam]] made of ''surki'' mortar is below the confluence of river [[Kaveri]] with its tributaries [[Hemavati River|Hemavati]] and [[Lakshmana Tirtha]], in the district of [[Mandya district|Mandya]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jain|first1=Sharad K.|last2=Agarwal|first2=Pushpendra K.|last3=Singh|first3=Vijay P.|title=Hydrology and Water Resources of India|date=16 May 2007|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1402051807|page=715|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZKs1gBhJSWIC|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref>

[[Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV]] Maharaj of Mysore constructed the dam during the famine despite the critical financial condition of State. It was after him that the dam was named.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/watch-krs-dam-lights-up-in-tricolour-as-karnataka-releases-80000-cusecs-of-water-to-tamil-nadu/1250566/|title=Watch: KRS dam lights up in tricolour as Karnataka releases 80,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu|date=19 July 2018 }}</ref>
There is an ornamental garden, [[Brindavan Gardens]], attached to the dam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mysore.nic.in/tourism_brindavan_garden.htm |title= Brindavan Garden (KRS-Krishna Raja Sagar)}}</ref>

==Background==
The region of [[Mysore (region)|Mysore]] and especially Mandya had historically been dry and had witnessed mass migration to adjoining areas in the hot summers. A severe [[drought]] in 1875–76 had wiped out one-fifth of the population of the [[Kingdom of Mysore]]. Crop failures were common due to a lack of water for irrigation.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Misra|first1=Rameshwar Prasad|title=Development Issues of Our Time|date=1985|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|page=145|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dk0HRMICIcgC|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref> The Kaveri river was seen as a potential source of irrigation water for the farmers in and around [[Mysore]] in the erstwhile [[Kingdom of Mysore]].

===Survey and plan===
The Chief Engineer of Mysore, [[M. Visvesvaraya|Sir. M. Visvesvaraya]], faced opposition from the finance ministry of the government of Mysore, who said the project would "serve no purpose" and that the electricity produced from it would not be of complete use due to lack of demand. He then approached [[T. Ananda Rao]], the [[List of Diwans of Mysore|Diwan of Mysore]] and the Maharaja [[Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV]] for a reconsideration.<ref name="MV">{{cite book|last1=Bharathi|first1=C.|title=M. Visvesvaraya|date=2012|publisher=Sapna Book House Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=9788128017810|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F2-GAwAAQBAJ|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref> Upon examining, the latter gave his consent issuing an order on 11 October 1911 to begin the project and a sum of {{INR}}81 [[lakh]] was set aside for it. [[Madras Presidency]] then opposed the project and urged the imperial government not to approve it. Upon [[M. Visvesvaraya|Visvesvaraya]]'s persuasion, the government consented. However, the initial plan to build a dam 194-feet high to hold an estimated {{convert|abbr=on|41500000000|cuft|km3}} of water had to be dropped.<ref name="toi1">{{cite web|last1=K. R.|first1=Rajendrakumar|title=Centenary milestone for KRS dam|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/Centenary-milestone-for-KRS-dam/articleshow/10325469.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=9 March 2017|date=12 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309164922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/Centenary-milestone-for-KRS-dam/articleshow/10325469.cms|archive-date=9 March 2017}}</ref>

===Construction===
Construction began in November 1911, and 10,000 workers were employed. A mortar known as ''surki'' was used in place of cement, as the latter was not manufactured in India at the time and importing would prove costly for the state.<ref name="MV"/> By the time construction was completed in 1931, around 5,000 to 10,000 persons had lost their homes to the project. However, they were rehabilitated and provided with agricultural land in the adjacent areas by the government.<ref name="MV"/>
The head priest Hindupur Panduranga Rao presided over the inauguration ceremony.

==Operation==
In place of [[spillways]] that prevent over-topping of dams, Visvesvaraya employed 48 automatic gates that open and close at the rise and fall of water in the reservoir, in six sets, with eight in each. Each gate consists of a sill, lintel, and side grooves and plates; balance weight; [[Float (liquid level)|float]]; chains and pulleys; and inlet and outlet pipes. The gates are made of [[cast iron]] and were manufactured at the [[Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant]] in [[Bhadravati, Karnataka|Bhadravati]].<ref name="ias">{{cite web|last1=Rao|first1=A. V. Shankara|title=Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya: Engineer, Statesman Planner|url=http://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/reso/007/05/0076-0085|work=Indian Academy of Sciences|access-date=9 March 2017|date=May 2002}}</ref>

The eight sets of gates are connected by means of chains and pulleys to a dead weight, which in turn is connected to a float, making up the 'balance weight' together, working inside a masonry well, both on the rear of the dam. {{citation needed|date=May 2021}} The deadweight and float are placed one behind the other so as to have four gates on each side of it. When all eight gates close the [[sluice]], the balance weight moves to the top of its swing and floats to the bottom of the well. The well has an inlet pipe {{convert|abbr=on|1|ft|m}} in diameter from the reservoir that allows water in when the reservoir reaches the maximum permissible level causing the float to rise, and the balance weight to fall pulling the gates up and allowing discharge of water. In the same mechanism, the well gets emptied through an exit pipe when the water level in the reservoir falls.<ref name="ias"/>

==Dam==
Foundation Stone to dam was laid on 11 November 1911. The dam was built across the river [[Kaveri]] in 1924. It is the main source of water for the districts of [[Mysore]]. The water is used for irrigation in Mysore and [[Mandya]], and it is the main source of drinking water for all of Mysore, Mandya and almost the whole of [[Bengaluru]] city, the capital of [[Karnataka]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/watch-krs-dam-lights-up-in-tricolour-as-karnataka-releases-80000-cusecs-of-water-to-tamil-nadu/1250566/|title=Watch: KRS dam lights up in tricolour as Karnataka releases 80,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu|date=2018-07-19|work=The Financial Express|access-date=2018-08-29|language=en-US}}</ref> The water released from this dam flows into the state of [[Tamil Nadu]] and is stored in [[Mettur dam]] in the Salem district.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mettur-dam-hits-full-level-687046.html|title=Mettur dam hits full level|date=2018-08-11|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=2018-08-29|language=en}}</ref>

==Brindavan Gardens==
{{main|Brindavan Gardens}}
The [[Brindavan Gardens]] is a show garden that has a botanical park, with fountains, as well as boat rides beneath the dam. Brindavan gardens were built by Maharaja [[Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar]].It was designed by German botanist [[Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Star of Mysore |title=Brindavan Gardens' designer Krumbiegel's great-granddaughter in Mysuru |url=https://starofmysore.com/brindavan-gardens-designer-krumbiegels-great-granddaughter-in-mysuru/}}</ref>

Diwan Sir Mirza Ismail of Mysore planned and built the gardens in connection with the construction of the dam.(citation needed) KRS Dam was the first to install automated Crest gates during 1920, which was initiated by Sir. Erwin who was British chief engineer. Display items include a musical fountain. Various biological research departments are housed here.

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Vrindavan Gardens, Krishana Raja Sagara, Mysore 1047.jpg|225px|thumb|KRS Dam & Garden]]
The landscape of the area represents a complexity of agricultural land, rural habitation, sparingly spread trees and patches of original vegetation at the close by [[Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary]], which attracts wide varieties of local and migrant birds. Nearly 220 species<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mysorenature.org/around-mysore/mandya-sector/krishnarajasagar-reservoir/bird-checklist|title = Mysore Nature - Bird Checklist}}</ref> of birds have been recorded here in large numbers.

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
*[[List of dams and reservoirs in India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://waterresources.kar.nic.in/salient_features_krs.htm Krishnarajasagara Reservoir Project] at Karnataka Water Resources Department
*[http://www.mysorenature.org/around-mysore/mandya-sector/krishnarajasagar-reservoir Mysore Nature|KRS for birders]

{{Kaveri River}}
{{Hydrology of Karnataka|state=expanded}}

[[Category:Kaveri River]]
[[Category:Dams in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Mysore]]
[[Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Reservoirs in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Dams on the Kaveri River]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Mandya district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Mandya district]]
[[Category:Geography of Mandya district]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1938]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in India]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]