Water in Chennai

A compilation of facts and trivia

Dec - 2015

1. What are major rivers

passing through Chennai?

1. What are major rivers

passing through Chennai?

Adyar

• 42.5 km

Koovam

• 72 km

Kosasthalaiyar / Kortalayar

• 136 km

2. What are the origins and

destinations of the above rivers?

2. What are the origins and

destinations of the above rivers? Adyar

• Origin Northern Arm – Chembarambakkam; Southern Arm - Malaipattu tank near Manimangalam village in Sriperumbudur Taluk

• Destination - Adyar Estuary

Koovam

• Origin - Koovam village in Tiruvallur district

• Destination - Bay of Bengal near Napier Bridge

Kosasthalaiyar

• Origin - Kaveripakkam in Vellore District

• Destination - Ennore Creek

3. What are four major water

reservoirs in Chennai?

3. What are four major water

reservoirs in Chennai?

Cholavaram Lake

• 881 mcft

Poondi Lake

• 3231 mcft

Puzhal Lake - (Red Hills)

• 3300 mcft

Chembarambakkam Lake

• 3645 mcft

4. What are the other lakes in

Chennai?

4. What are the other lakes in

Chennai?

Ambattur Lake

Chetput Lake

Chitlapakkam Lake

Korattur Lake

Manali Lake

Mangal Lake

Porur Lake

Retteri Lake

Velachery Lake

5. Which of the above lakes are

interconnected so that surplus water

from each lake is transported to other

during monsoon?

5. Which of the above lakes are

interconnected so that surplus water

from each lake is transported to other

during monsoon?

Ambathur Lake, Korattur Lake &

Madhavaram Lake

6. What is additional source of water

supply for Chennai added in 2004

6. What is additional source of water

supply for Chennai added in 2004

Veeranam Lake

7. This Tamil writer gave a vivid description

about Veeranam Lake in one of his historic

novels. Who is he and which is the novel?

7. Which Tamil writer gave a vivid

description about Veeranam Lake in one of

his historic novels?

The opening chapter of the book Ponniyin Selvan is

set on the banks of the Veera Narayana Lake. Kalki

gives an elaborate description of the features of the

lake and the way multiple rivers flow into the lake.

8. Where is Jones Tower

located in Chennai and what is

its purpose?

Jones Tower was built in

the year of 1881 in

Puzhal lake.

It is used to measure the

depth of the water level

in the lake.

8. Where is Jones Tower

located in Chennai and what is

its purpose?

9. Apart from having a water reservoir,

what else Sholavaram popular for?

Air strip for World War II Planes

Motor Car Race Track

9. Apart from having a water reservoir,

what else Sholavaram popular for?

10. How is Poondi Reservoir

called as?

10. How is Poondi Reservoir

called as?

Sathyamoorthy Sagar

11. Which two rivers were artificially connected

to form “The Island” near Madras Gymkana

Club in the early 19th century ?

11. Which two rivers were artificially connected

to form “The Island” near Madras Gymkana

Club in the early 19th century ?

Coovum River & the then Elambore River

12. How many bridges are there

across Adyar River?

1. Manapakkam Bridge

2. Jafferkhanpet Bridge

3. Alandur Causeway - West Saidapet

4. Maramalai Adigar Bridge - Saidapet

5. Kotturpuram Bridge

6. Thiru Vi Ka Bridge - Adyar

7. Eliphinstone Bridge - Adyar

8. Broken bridge - Foreshore Estate

12. How many bridges are there

across Adyar River?

13. How many bridges are there

across Koovam River?

1. Aminjikarai Bridge.

2. Spur Tank Bridge

3. College Road Bridge

4. Commander-in-Chief Road Bridge

5. Harris Bridge

6. Chintradripet Bridge /St Andrew's Bridge

7. Periamet Bridge

8. Wallajah Bridge

9. Napier Bridge

13. How many bridges are there

across Koovam River?

14. Karanodai bridge is on National

Highway 5 connecting Chennai and

Northern parts of India. On which river it is

constructed?

14. Karanodai bridge is on National

Highway 5 connecting Chennai and

Northern parts of India. On which river it is

constructed?

Kosasthalaiyar

15. What is the source of water for Telugu

Ganga Project

15. What is the source of water for Telugu

Ganga Project

Srisailam Reservoir

16. Where does the Telugu Ganga water enter

into Tamilnadu? (Zero Point?

16. Where does the Telugu Ganga water enter

into Tamilnadu? (Zero Point?

Kandaleru Reservoir near Uthukkottai

17. How was the Chennai Rivers

Restoration Trust earlier called?

17. How was the Chennai Rivers

Restoration Trust earlier called?

Tholkappia Poonga / Adyar Eco Park / Adyar

Poonga

18. In which island this cemetery is located in

Chennai?

18. In which island this cemetery is located in

Chennai?

Quibble Island

19. What are the interesting

facts about Buckingham Canal?

Length – 796 km

Connects 3 rivers of Chennai

Originally known as Cochrane's canal

Also knows as Lord Clive’s canal

Origin – Kakinada; Destination – Marakkanam

Acted as a buffer to Tsunami

19. What are the interesting

facts about Buckingham Canal?

20. How the encroachments have

affected the Buckingham Canal?

Due to encroachment about 70-80%

of the original width is reduced

20. How the encroachments have

affected the Buckingham Canal?

21. Where are the pumping stations of Metro

Water located in Chennai?

21. Where are the pumping stations of Metro

Water located in Chennai?

22. Where are the two Reverse Osmosis

Desalination Plants located in Chennai?

22. Where are the two Reverse Osmosis

Desalination Plants located in Chennai?

Minjur at North Chennai &

Nemmeli at South Chennai

22. What is common between these places?

- Kodungaiyur, Koyambedu, Nesapakkam,

Perungudi, Villivakkam

These are the locations of Chennai Metro

Waters Sewage Treatment Plants

22. What is common between these places?

- Kodungaiyur, Koyambedu, Nesapakkam,

Perungudi, Villivakkam

23. Chennai Metro Water earns a revenue of

about Rs.10 crores per year through the sale of

_________. What is this?

Sale of Secondary Treated Sewage to the

industries in Manali (Chennai Petroleum

and Madras Fertilizers

24. He is an Indian environmental activist who has initiated

campaign cleaning various lakes across India and instrumental

for the successful cleaning of over 17 lakes in the country. He

worked in Google before quitting the job to dedicate voluntarily.

Name him.

Arun Krishnamoorthi

24. He is an Indian environmental activist who has initiated

campaign cleaning various lakes across India and instrumental

for the successful cleaning of over 17 lakes in the country. He

worked in Google before quitting the job to dedicate voluntarily.

Name him.

25. During the Chennai Floods in Dec 2015, couple of weather

bloggers not only provided weather related information in social

media, but also helped to eliminate baseless rumours on

weather forecasts. Among them this person was very popular

who operated under the name Tamilnadu Weatherman. Name

him.

Pradeep John

25. During the Chennai Floods in Dec 2015, couple of weather

bloggers not only provided weather related information in social

media, but also helped to eliminate baseless rumours on

weather forecasts. Among them this person was very popular

who operated under the name Tamilnadu Weatherman. Name

him.

Let us save water!

Compilation by

Sundararaman Chintamani sundararamanc@hotmail.com

91-9840923764