Veeranam Lake, About, Location, Length, History

Veeranam Lake is a large man-made lake located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, in the lower Cauvery basin, approximately 235 kilometres south of Chennai. It is recognized globally for its ecological importance, particularly as a habitat for birds.

About Veeranam Lake

• Veeranam lake is a man-made lake located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. 
• The book Ponniyen Selvan authored by Kalki in 1950 gives information on this lake, stating that it was constructed by Chola king Rajaditya Chola, the son of Parantaka I, in the 10th century AD.
• The lake was originally called Veeranarayanan lake.
• The primary source of water for Veeranam Lake is the Vadavar River, which is a distributary of the Cauvery River.
• Historically, Veeranam Lake was constructed primarily to support irrigation in the surrounding agricultural areas of the Cauvery delta. Currently it is a major source of drinking water for Chennai.
• It is a listed Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) in the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas as it regularly supports over 20,000 waterbirds, including species like Asian Openbill and Black-tailed Godwit.
• Veeranam Lake is managed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, with operational responsibilities shared between the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD Board). 

Recently Lake’s water levels have declined sharply due to insufficient inflow from the Kollidam River and high summer temperatures.

‹ ›