Vellalore Lake

Vellalore Lake

Vellalore Lake/Tank, situated at 12°54’12.5″N, 80°04’31.1″E in S.F.No. 342 of Vellalore Village, Madukkarai Taluk, Coimbatore District, is a vital water body under the control of the Water Resources Department of Tamilnadu.

Categorized as a Non-System Tank within the of the Noyyal Basin, the lake has a total capacity of 0.58 million cubic meters (mcm) or 20.48 million cubic feet (mcft). The water source of the tank primarily comes from the catchment area spanning 2.15 square kilometres and its upland drainages, predominantly during the North East Monsoon. The important hydraulic particulars of the lake include a Full Tank Level (FTL) of 14.000 meters (m), a Maximum Water Level (MWL) of 14.450 meters (m), and a Top Bund Level (TBL) of 16.280 meters (m).

Technical Profile

Tank Name Mudichur Tank
Latitude 12⁰ 90′ 133″
Longitude 80° 03′ 658″
Village Mudichur
Block St. Thomas Mount
Taluk Tambaram
District Chengalpattu
Sub Basin Adayar
Basin Chennai
Sub Division Lower Palar Basin Sub Division, Chengalpattu
Division Lower Palar Basin Division, Kancheepuram
Tank Type Non-System Tank
Capacity of Tank 0.58 (mcm) 20.48 (mcft)
Full Tank Level (FTL) 14.000 (m)
Maximum Water Level (MWL) 14.450 (m)
Top bund level (TBL) 16.280 (m)
Storage Depth 4.28 (m) 14’04”
Ayacut 80.16 (Ha)
Water Spread Area 44.99.5 (Ha), 111.14 Acres
No of Weir 2 (no)
Weir Length 30.80 (m), 6.20 (m)
No of Sluice 3 (nos)
Lowest Sill Level 9.590 (m)
Length of Bund 1490 (m)
Discharge 711 (cusec)
Survey No 342

Current Condition

A reconnaissance survey was executed, encompassing key personnel interviews, public interviews within the surrounding community, stakeholder interactions, and field surveys. Additionally, an examination of available secondary data, including government reports and relevant literature, was conducted. The aim was to obtain an overarching understanding of the lake and identify key problems associated with the Mudichur lake system – the hydrologic and hydraulic aspects. This comprehensive approach ensured a thorough understanding of the hydrological dynamics through the integration of expert opinions, community perspectives, on-site data, and existing knowledge.

Site Evaluation

Site evaluation, involving a systematic analysis of the lake area to understand its characteristics and constraints, was performed to identify key problem areas. This process ensures a comprehensive understanding of the lake’s features, contributing to formulating of effective solutions, informed decision-making and successful study outcomes.

The following identified key problems served as the basis for a more detailed and focused analysis in the subsequent stages of the study.

Key Problem Areas

Encroachment Challenges

A survey conducted by the Public Works Department in 2009 identified 86 encroachments, but the exact number today remains unknown. The lack of official documentation poses a significant challenge in addressing and rectifying these encroachments, exacerbating the issue over time.

Pollution and Sewage Issues

Sewage water, deliberately discharged by Perungalathur Town Panchayat into the lake, has contributed to significant pollution. Urgent steps are required to prevent untreated sewage discharge. Cleaning canals to channelize excess water from Perungalathur Lake during the rainy season is essential for maintaining the water storage system and preventing future floods.

Actions Needed

Key findings have been identified as pivotal components in guiding the design for a comprehensive framework for carrying out hydrologic and hydraulic investigation. Given below are some of the critical findings, derived from the preliminary analysis and investigation that helped in forming the structure of an effective investigative framework for the hydrologic and hydraulic assessment.