as Kollidam Aru, Kaveri, Vennaru and Puthu Aru. However, the flood waters can be allowed, by opening the barrage/anaicut gates, to pass through the other three delta branches also to join the sea. It is constructed from unhewn stone spanning the Kaveri and is long, wide and high. The dam is still in excellent condition, and supplied a model to later engineers, including Sir Arthur Cotton's 19th-century dam across the Kollidam, the major distributary of the Kaveri. The area irrigated by the ancient irrigation network is about . By the early 20th century, the irrigated area had been increased to about one million acres (400,000 ha). The delta farmers of Tamil Nadu have demanded the Tamil Nadu government to honor Karikala Cholan, who built this dam. Gallery See also Tamil language Tamil literature Sangam period Lemuria References Bibliography Further reading Buildings and structures completed in the 1st century Dams in Tamil Nadu Chola Empire Dams on the Kaveri River Buildings and structures in Tiruchirappalli Multiple-arch dams Chola architecture Tourist attractions in Tiruchirappalli