Thambraparani river is one of the perennial rivers in Tamil Nadu State. It originates at Pothigai Hills of Tirunelveli District runs to a length of 131 K.M. and confluences into Sea at Punnakayal in Thoothukudi District. Thambraparani river Irrigation System consists of 8 Anicuts, 11 Main Channels and 186 Tanks. The total ayacut benefitted by Thambraparani irrigations system is 86107 acres which are spread over in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi Districts. Apart from the irrigation, Thambraparani river is the main drinking water resource to Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Virudunagar Districts. Srivaikuntam Anicut is the eighth and last anicut under Thambraparani irrigation system.

The Srivaikuntam Anicut / Minor dam is one of the oldest anicut constructed across river Thambraparani at L.S.103 K.M. in between Srivaikuntam and Puthugudi Villages about 147 years ago in British Era. The Srivaikuntam Anicut consists of three parts (ie) Main Anicut cum Road Bridge, North Head Sluice and South Head Sluice. The length of Anicut (body wall) is 421m. The maximum flood discharge of Srivaikuntam Anicut is 135000 Cusecs occurred on 14.11.1992. The High Flood Level of Anicut is +39.40m. 18 No. of Sand Vents were provided in this anicut with uniform size of 4’x4’ and sill level of Sand Vent is +31.40 Ft.

No. of Irrigation Channels are off-taking from Srivaikuntam Anicut namely North Main Channel and South Main Channel at the left and right flanks respectively. The North Main Channel head sluice have maximum discharging capacity of 1093 cusecs through 6 vents of size 4’0”x8’.0”.  The Sill Level of Head Sluice is +31.40m. The North Main Channel runs to a length of 19.25 K.M. and irrigates about 12800 Acres of land in Srivaikuntam and Thoothukudi Taluks. The South Main Channel head sluice have maximum discharging capacity of 1230 cusecs through 5 vents. (3 vents of size 4.0’x8.0’ ; 2 Vents  of Size 6’.0”x6’.0”). The sill level of Head Sluice is +31.40m. The. South Main Channel runs to a length of 8.63 K.M. and irrigates about 12760 Acres. of Land in Eral and Tiruchendur Taluks. Various branch channels and drainage courses were provided in these channels system. Totally 22 No. of Tanks are getting water through these two channels. (North Main Channel = 7 Tanks, South Main Channel = 15 Tanks). The crops raised under North Main Channel & South Main Channel ayacut area are mainly wet crops such as Paddy and Banana. These irrigation channels carry water for a period at about 8 months in every year. In general, the assured closure period is June to September of succeeding year.

The Srivaikuntam Anicut is one of the oldest anicut which was constructed during the British era about 147 years ago. All of the Upper Anicuts were built by the Pre-British rulers particularly the Pandyas, the Naicks and the local Zamindars. The width of Anicut is 421m. Two channels namely North Main Channel and South Main Channel are off-taking from the Srivaikuntam Anicut at the left and right flank respectively. The length of North Main Channel is 19.25 K.M. which is selectively lined channel and serves on ayacut of 12800 acres. The length of South Main Channel is 8.63 K.M. which is fully lined channel and serves an ayacut of 12760 acres. These irrigation channels carry water for a period of more than 8 months in a year. These channels cater the needs of 19000 farmers (approx.). North Main Channel and South Main Channels finally confluences into the tail end tanks namely Korampallam tank and Ellappanaickan Tank and then leads to Sea.

• The Anicut and channels had served for more than 147 years. Till it would serve for many long years.
• The farmers of these channels are solely dependent of the channel source to cultivate their lands.
• Apart from the irrigation, this anicut & channel system serves as a main source for drinking water resources, electricity generation, Industrial development, etc.