KRS Dam In Mysore, Karnataka

Bestowed with colourful, stunning and illuminated gardens, musical fountains and water bodies in its vicinity, the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam is also known as KRS Dam and is located very close to the settlement of krishnarajasagara in Karnataka. The current KRS Dam inflow is 5,365 cusecs and the water level is 111.13 ft. and the maximum level is 124.8 feet. Overall KRS capacity to store water is 1,368,847,000 cubic meters with a catchment area of 10,619 square km.

Named after Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the KRS dam was built by the chief engineer of Mysore, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, under his rule. The KRS dam was built in 1924 across the Cauvery river, near the conjunction of three rivers, namely Cauvery, Hemavathi and Lakshmana Theertha. Original KRS construction cost to was around 10 million Indian rupees. Surrounded by beautiful flora and blooming gardens, this site not only serves as a shooting location for many movies but also provides water for irrigation in Mysore and Mandya, provides drinking water for all of Mysore and Bangalore and ensures power supply to the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power station.

The KRS Dam is one of India’s civil engineering wonder as it is among the first in the world to use automatic sluice gates and is made up of a material called ‘surkhi’ . It has 152 sluice gates and is built at a height of 130 feet above the river bed. An ornamental garden is also attached to the dam called Brindavan Gardens. It comprises of a Botanical Park with fountains as well as boat rides beneath the dam. Tourists all round the year visit this stunning picnic spot to enjoy the various activities, the beautiful natural surroundings and the musical fountain.

Important Details for KRS Dam

A few things about KRS Dam makes it different from the other attractions found here. Check the complete information about KRS Dam to know everything about this major dam. 

Built on :  River Kaveri

Type  : Gravity dam of size stone masonry

Length : 8597 ft

Height : 130.80 ft. above river-bed level

KRS Dam inflow maximum level : 124.8 ft. 

Overall KRS capacity - 49.452 TMC

Catchment area - 10,619 km²               

Length of spillway - 2,620 m

Number of gates - 18

Filling period - June to September

Depletion period - October to May

Facts About Krishna Raja Sagar Dam

KRS Dam is named after Krishna Raja Wodeyar IV, the King of Mysore. He commissioned the construction of this dam. 

Krishna Raja Sagar Dam in Mysore is constructed across the river Cauvery. Cauvery is also the main source of water in the areas of South Karnataka.

KRS Dam used to be the residing place of sage Kanva. Rumors have it that a Shiva Temple which was here was submerged during post the completion of the dam. 

Kaveri, Hemavathi and Lakshmana Tirtha are the three rivers that converge at the Krishnarajasagar Dam.

Places to Visit Near KRS Dam

Nagarhole National Park is a famous place to visit near KRS Dam. The National Park is replete with an abundance of flora, fauna and wildlife. Spot the wild animals such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bear and hyena (Hyaenahyaena). Also, spot some of herbivores like spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, gaur (Bosgaurus), wild boar (Susscrofa) and elephant.