Markonahalli Dam
Markonahalli Dam is an interesting structure located in the Kunigal Taluk of Tumkur district, Karnataka, India. The dam was built across the Shimsha River by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the king of Mysore, under the guidance of his Diwan, Sir M Visweswaraiah. Its construction aimed to irrigate 6,070 hectares of land. The dam has a masonry structure of 139 meters and a pair of earth dams extending to 1,470 meters on either side. Markonahalli Dam is the first dam in the world built using the Siphon system. It was completed in 1938-40 at a cost of 29 Lakhs. The reservoir has a catchment area of 4,103 km² and can hold a volume of 68 million m³ of water at a full reservoir level of 731.57 meters above mean sea level. As many as 27 species of fish inhabit the reservoir, including commercial fish like Puntius. Unfortunately, the dam is maintained poorly, and in 2000, a part of it had to be demolished to prevent floods and save nearby villages.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
While visiting Markonahalli Dam, you can explore other attractions in the area, such as:
Pavagada Fort
Shiva Ganga Hill (with two temples)
Devarayanadurga State Forest
Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Swamy Temple
Aralguppe, one of the oldest temples in Karnataka.
Accommodation:
There are several resorts and hotels near Markonahalli Dam, catering to different budgets and preferences.