 On 21 November 2014, the water level hit 142 feet for first time in 35 years.The reservoir again hit the maximum limit of 142 feet on 15 August 2018, following incessant rains in the state of Kerala.Earlier known as the Periyaru Dam as it was basically meant to dam the Periyaru river, the present name "Mullaperiyar" is derived by vaguely blending the names of Mullayar River and Periyaru River, at the confluence of which the dam is located below.