A major landmark in Chikmagalur, Karnataka is the Bhadra Dam built on the river Bhadra, a tributary of the famous Tungabhadra River. The dam became more powerful after people in the region started using the water for irrigation purpose as well as producing electricity to the towns and the villages nearby. The dam was commissioned in 1965. The river originates at Samse in the mighty Western Ghats and then it starts flowing towards east across the Deccan Plateau. The major tributaries of it are the Somavahini, Thadabehalla and Odirayanahalla. Bhadra flows through the city of Bhadravathi and the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Then it meets the Tunga at River at koodli and the combined river flows to the east as Tungabhadra. The Bhadra Dam constructed on the river is 1.5 kilometres from Lakkavalli village and 50 kilometres upstream of the confluence of the Bhadra and Tungabhadra River. Shimoga city is located very close to the dam and it drains a catchment area of 1968 square kilometres.
The water from the dam helps several industries, urban and rural settlements sustain. Bhadra River basin receives an average rainfall of 2320 mm annually. The tourist attraction near the dam is the river and the wildlife sanctuary that accommodates rare species of fauna like red spurfowl, emerald dove, green imperial pigeon, mesh crocodiles, hill mynahs, gaurs, painted bush quail, black woodpecker, wild boar etc. There are many other tourist locations and destinations are closely located to the dam like Kudremukh, Mullayanagiri and much more. There is no specific timings to visit the dam though there would be some definite timings to enter the wildlife sanctuary. Before you plan to visit the sanctuary, make a quick inquiry about the timings to avoid last minute confusions. No fee is applicable to visit the dam.
Distance from Chikmagalur : 79 Km
