Karnataka to build rubber dam to increase power production

The Karnataka Power Corporation (KPC) is mulling the construction of an inflatable rubber dam as a buffer structure at the Supa Dam to facilitate the production of 25 MW of electricity. 

Supa Dam is built across the Kali River in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district. Operated by the KPC, the powerhouse was commissioned in 1985.

The proposed rubber dam is planned to enhance the present capacity of the hydroelectric power station. 

The governing council of the KPC, which met under the leadership of CM Siddaramaiah, has given its approval and expert teams will be visiting overseas countries very soon in this regard, DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Energy Minister, told Kannada Prabha.

What is a rubber dam: 

A rubber 'dam' is a thick, inflatable rubber layer, filled with either water or air, will be inserted into the concrete vents of the existing dam. This allows dam operators to block the free flow of water if needed. That, in turn, increases the water storing capacity of the hydroelectricity power station.

It also filters small particles (usually sand) which flow in the river water and have the potential to damage the turbines used in power stations. Should the operators wish to increase the outward flow of water, these rubber dams can be quickly deflated, even in emergencies, protecting the turbines from floods. 

• Dam
• power station
• supa dam
• karnataka
• rubber dam