Forest department bans entry to resurfaced Hirebhaskara Dam

Shivamogga: The historic Hirebhaskara Dam in the Sharavathi backwaters of Sagar taluk has resurfaced as water levels receded during peak summer months.

Designed for power generation in the 1940s and submerged just 16 years later, the dam — also known as Madenur Dam — remains structurally sound after half a century underwater.

Located near the famous Sigandur Chowdeshwari temple, its structural integrity stands as a brilliant testament to pre-Independence Indian engineering. However, its seasonal reappearance has triggered a modern dual crisis, forcing the forest department to prohibit public entry.

In recent years, a massive influx of intrusive reel-makers, YouTube vloggers and off-road bikers has invaded the spot. Because the submerged dam sits within the protected Kargal Sharavathi Wildlife Range, this unregulated tourist surge has caused severe headaches for authorities due to littering, loud engines and illegal trespassing into core forest zones.

A resident of nearby Kerodi village recently tested positive for Kyasanur Forest Disease, commonly known as monkey fever. To protect public health and the fragile local ecology, the forest department has completely sealed the main transit gates, enforcing a strict lockdown.

This sudden closure cuts off public access to a magnificent piece of history.

Commissioned by the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, construction began following a 1939 survey. Built using surki — a traditional mortar mix of burnt brick, sand, limestone and jaggery — the 114-foot-tall structure holds 25 TMC of water. Its crown jewel is a revolutionary flood-gate system featuring 11 automatic volute siphons designed to discharge massive amounts of floodwater without manual intervention.

This engineering marvel was swallowed in 1964 by the larger 156 TMC Linganamakki dam project. Now, it should be appreciated strictly from a distance.