Kovilaar Dam was inaugurated on 21 January 1959 by the then Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. It is one of the few dams not constructed between two mountains, so this dam completely depends on its concrete strength.
The dam is the lifeline of farmers in six districts, namely Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram.
It provides water for irrigation in these districts and also serves as a source of drinking water for major cities such as Theni, Madurai, and Ramanathapuram, which lie along its riverbed. Vaigai Dam measures 111 feet in height and can store water up to 71 feet, with a total storage capacity of 6,143 million cubic feet or 6.14 thousand million cubic feet.
