The Selaulim Dam is located on the Selaulim River, a tributary of the Zuari River in Goa, India, is an integral component of the Selaulim Irrigation Project which envisages benefits of irrigation and drinking water supply. The dam is a composite earth-cum-masonry dam of height with a water spread area of. It was initially planned to provide irrigation to an ultimate potential of and water supply of 160 million liters per day to South Goa; the water supply component for domestic and industrial use is now increased to 380 MLD. The initial cost of the project, when approved in 1971, was Rs. 9.61 crore, which, as of 2007, is estimated to cost Rs. 170 crores. However, the construction of the project was started in 1976 and the dam was completed in 2000, and the irrigation component is under final stages of completion having achieved an irrigation potential of 9,537 ha, as of 2007.
Geography
The project is located at Sirga about 5 km from the Sanguem town, in the Zuari River Basin, which is drained by the Zuari River which in turn is formed after the confluence of Selaulim and Uguem Rivers in Sanguem taluk. The Selauilm dam is located on the Selaulim River near the Sanguem town. The river drains a catchment area of.
Project features
The dam is a composite structure of earth-cum-masonry type of height above the deepest foundation level. The length of dam at the crest is and the reservoir water spread area is. The dam structure has a volume content of 2.714 million cubic metres. The gross storage capacity of the reservoir is 234.361 MCM with the live or effective storage capacity fixed at 227.157 MCM. The spillway which is of the unique Duckbill type is an ungated structure located in the gorge section with a length of which is designed to pass an estimated Design Flood Discharge of /s. Out the total live storage of about 227 MCM, 126 MCM is for irrigation and the balance 101 MCM is earmarked for domestic and industrial water use. As a result, 220 MLD of water is available for industrial and domestic use in South Goa, in addition to 160 MLD originally provided in the approved project.
Submergence
The reservoir submergence involved 20 villages which were partially or fully submerged. 3000 people were displaced and resettled. Mining areas were also submerged for which compensation was provided. Apart from submergence of villages, the tall figure of Mother Goddess, a 16 tonne image, which was to come under the submergence village of Curdi in Sanguem taluk was relocated at Verna. Another temple, archaeologically dated to the 10th–11th century of the Kadamaba period, at Kurdi, Angod, which was falling under the submergence area of Selauli Reservoir, was also relocated to a site away. The relocation was done by dismantling of the original temple and then reassembling it at the new location after methodically numbering each stone, over a period of 11 years.
Seismicity
Following an earthquake in the project area, a proposal has been mooted to install a seismograph near Selaulim dam to monitor any Tectonics activity in the area.
Irrigation system
The irrigation system of the project was planned to irrigate lands in Sanguem, Quepum and Salceto taluks. The canal, which takes off from the dam is on the left bank, known as the "Left Bank Main Canal" which is long, and is designed to carry a discharge of /s. It has a network of distributary canals and minor canals to provide irrigation to an ultimate potential of. As originally planned, the main canal had distributary canals D1,D2-D3, minor canals M1, M2 and M3, which are all completed. However, the length of two of the distributary canals has been curtailed thus reducing the irrigation command by. The water thus saved is proposed to be used for increasing the water supply for domestic and industrial users by about 220 MLD. The total irrigation potential created is of which the CCA is. As a part of the command area development, 28 Water Users Associations have been instituted and out of these, 15 WUAs have been given control over the water distribution networks.
Other benefits
In the vicinity of the Selaulim dam area, proposals were mooted to set up a health centre with a modern hospital with 300 beds, along with a nature park and a botanical garden. The Botanical Garden was planned by the Goa Forest Department, patterned on the Brindavan Gardens in Mysore, involving landscaping and ornamental plantation. Fish is an important factor in the life of Goans and in this context the reservoir area of Selaulim and Anjunem Irrigation projects have also provided livelihood opportunities for the fishing community. Fish seed farming was started in the fresh water lake of Selaulim for fish production.
Pollution
Mining operations are still done in three mines, which are located within 1 km from the reservoir periphery. A panel of experts has advised the authorities concerned to take adequate steps to prevent pollution of lake waters by mining effluents, as the reservoir is a source of drinking water supply.
