[citation needed] It was completed in 1934 and was named after Lieutenant Colonel Sir George Frederick Stanley GCSI GCIE CMG, who served as the Governor of Madras from 1929 to 1934.

[1] Three minor tributaries – Palar, Chennar and Thoppar – enter the Kaveri on its course above Stanley Reservoir.

The Stanley Reservoir is one of the largest of its kind in India[2][citation needed] with a total capacity of (93.47 Tmcft).

[3] The creation of the reservoir caused the submersion of two villages, all of whose inhabitants were relocated to Mettur.

The dam, the park, the major hydroelectric power stations and hills on all sides make Mettur a tourist attraction.