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June 16, 2002 

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CONSTRUCTING CHECK DAM USING TIN SHEET AND ARECANUT POLES

T.M.Govindan Nambeesan and V.M.Narayanan Nambeesan, Pathamkantam, Peringome, Kannur 670354 Ph: 0498-536523

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Two farmers of Peringom Panchayat, Kannur, have developed a cheap method of constructing check dam using tin sheets and arecanut poles.

T.M.Govindan Nambeesan and V.M.Narayanan Nambeesan have constructed this check dam in their farm to divert water for irrigation.

The technology used is simple.  The stream where they constructed the check dam is 10m wide.  First, using sandstone they built a basement projecting 30cm above ground and 60cm wide, spanning the stream.  This was protected from erosion by rubble packing.  Next, an arecanut pole was stretched across the stream at convenient height and the same held in position by wooden stays.  Based on slope, another pole is placed in a similar manner above the first one.

Inferior quality wooden planks join the two arecanut poles.  The whole surface is then covered with tin sheets and the joints made waterproof using cement.

If asphalt is used for sealing, instead of cement, the check dam will last for many years.  The second advantage is that their method of construction can be done using 5-6 man-days.

For a 10m wide stream, to store water up to 1.5m height, the cost of construction comes to only Rs.5000.  The duo evolved this method 5 years ago.  Earlier they experimented with asbestos sheets also.

If financial assistance is forthcoming, they have plans to improve the check dam by replacing the palm poles with GI pipes of 2½-inch diameter filled with sand.  Similarly, if tin sheets are ‘framed’ like windows, their strength and ease of use can be improved.

Downstream view of the check dam

 

Courtesy: Dr. K.M.Sreekumar and Dr. A.Anilkumar, Karshakasree, May 2002

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