The Tungabhadra Dam or TB Dam also is known as Pampa Sagar, is a reservoir constructed across the Tungabhadra River a tributary of the Krishna River. The dam Located almost 20 kilometers south-west of Hampi town, in Munirabad, Koppal district in the town Hospet in Karnataka. Tungabhadra Dam looks extremely beautiful at the sunset with water showing you how it cools the suns hotness and the Dams green lights start engulfing the darkness again.
Construction began in 1949 and completed by 1953 the Dam total length is 2,449 m (8,035 ft) and height is 49.50 m (162 ft) from the deepest foundation with total Spillway capacity 650,000 cusecs. It has been built by cement and granite. Left of it two barrages have been con¬structed (one earthen and another of stone and surkhi). The reservoir spreads over 378 sq. km. of area with a storage capacity of 4 lakh hectares.
The dam serves multiple functions as it controls irrigation, electricity generation, flood control and much more. Today it is a joint project between the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and serves purposes of functionality and attracts tourists from across India as well. For those visiting for tourism, the views from atop this reservoir are simply magnificent, and a simple walk along the river is sure to please even the toughest critics. A hydroelectric project of the dam is famous and become a new lifeline of State of Karnataka.
Power houses-three powerhouses have been constructed under the project. First of these lies on the left side at Munirabad (Karnataka) with an installed capacity of 27 MW. The second powerhouse at Hospet has eight generating units of 9 m w each (total capacity 72 MW). The third powerhouse has been built near Hampi along the canal with an installed capacity of 27 MW. This total of 126 MW of electricity is utilized in irrigation and development of small and cottage industries.
Canal Systems-three canal systems origi¬nate from the Tungabhadra barrage, (a) The Left Bank Canal is called Tungabhadra Canal. It is 340 km long and irrigates about 3.32 lakh hectares of land in Raichur and Mahbubnagar districts; (b) Tungabhadra Low-Level Canal originates from the right side of the dam. It is 347 km long and irrigates about 60,000 ha of land in Bellary and Kurnool districts; (c) Tungabhadra High-Level Canal with 196 km length provides irrigation to 1.82 lakh hec¬tares of land in Bellary and Anantapur districts. Tungabhadra project is mainly an irrigation project which has helped in augmenting the area under cotton, groundnut, rice, sugarcane, jowar, and other crops.
The huge reservoir spread over 378 sq. km gradually attracted migratory and resident aquatic fowl. The availability of abundant food sources such as different species of fish, insect larvae, crustaceans, etc. ensured food security for the birds. Apart from more than 90 fish species, the reservoir is home to the Smooth-coated Otter, Mugger, and Asian Giant Soft-shelled Turtle. The small islands in the middle of the dam are ideal breeding grounds for birds. Thus, the reservoir is a biodiversity hotspot for faunal species. TB Dam’s other prominent resident birds are – Indian Spot-billed Duck, Lesser Whistling-duck, Comb Duck, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Indian Cormorant, Greater Cormorant, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Brahminy Kite, Short-toed Snake-eagle, Small Pratincole, and Sykes’s Lark. Among the long-distance migratory species, we have the Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveller, Eurasian Wigeon, Garganey, Whiskered Tern, Little Tern, Brown-headed Gull, Oriental Pratincole, Pacific Golden Plover, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Western Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, and Osprey.
PARKS AND GARDENS
Since completion of the dam, the Board has developed and maintained many gardens and parks, downstream of the dam and in the colonies. The gardens near the dam are attracting many tourists.
- Nandanavana Garden: Nandanavana garden was developed soon after the completion of the dam during the year 1956-57. Thisgarden is located just downstream of the dam running parallel to it. It has an area of about 6 acres (2.43 ha) and is designed and developed on the lines of Brindavan Gardens at Krishna Raj Sagar near Mysore. It is well laid with four terraces at different elevations. The first terrace is housing circular type fountain with a Shiva statue at the center. The other three terraces are equipped with fountains of various designs, running parallel and perpendicular to the layout of the garden. This garden has got well-maintained lawns, Bougainvillea on the slopes, seasonal and annual flower beds, Christmas trees, Cyprus plants and topiary arches.
- Japanese Park: Japanese Park was developed in the year 1968-69 with a total area of 18 acres (7.29 ha) and is located adjacent to Nandanavana garden. It has got 3 water ponds, namely mango shaped pond, bean-shaped pond and children peddle pond which was constructed after 1970. This park has arches, ornamental flowering trees, flowerbeds, etc. A musical dancing fountain was added to the garden in the year 1994 which provides an added attraction for visitors. An aquarium was constructed within the garden to provide a further choice of entertainment and education for the visitors.
- Deer Park: The Deer Park is located just by the side of the Japanese park. It was developed in the year 1982, with an approximate area of about 15 acres (6.07 ha). At present, it has got about 70 spotted deer’s, 4 sambars, 4 neelgai, 6 black bucks, 1 chinkara, 30 rabbits and 2 porcupines.
- Birds Aviary: A small aviary is housed in the complex of Deer Park and was developed in the year 1989. Presently, it has got about 200 pigeons, 4 peacocks, 15 guinea fowl, and 10 parrots.
- Children Park: Children Park is located in the township area of TB Dam on the main road, and was developed during 1984. It has got the latest type of see-saws, bars, swings and other items for children. The park is exclusively meant for children below 12 years.
- Vaikunt Guest House Garden: Garden at Vaikunt Guest House was developed during the year 1960-61. It is a formal garden with well-designed fountains, flower bed, topiary arches, flowering trees etc.
- Circular Park And Triangular Park: A Circular Park and a Triangular Park is located just in front of the Administrative building. It was developed at the time of construction of dam. It is also a formal garden with lawns, flowering trees, shrubs, arches etc.
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