RIVERS OF KARNATAKA

The rivers of Karnataka can be divided into two based

on the direction of flowing :

The east flowing rivers ::

Krishna, Cauvery, Pennar, Palar

The west flowing rivers :

Sharavathi, Kali, Bedti, Netravathi,

Varahi, Aghanashini etc.

CAUVERY RIVER

The Cauvery is the most important river of Karnataka.

It is known as ‘Dakshina Ganga’. It originates at

Talacauvery in Kodagu district and flows 804 kms

through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu eastward and join

the Bay of Bengal. It flows for only 380 kms in

Karnataka. Many tributaries join this river. This water

is most useful for agriculture, power generation and

drinking water supply.

WATERFALLS OF KARNATAKA

Gokak

Bandaje

Chaya Bhagavathi

Chunchunkatte

Shimsha

Gaganachukki

Bharachukki

Magodu waterfall

Unchalli

Jog Falls

Jog Falls, Gerosoppa Falls or JogadaGundi is the highest plunge waterfall inIndia. This waterfall on Sharavathi riverof height 293 mts is located in Sagarataluk, Shimoga and Uttara Kannadadistrict border. These segmented fallsare a major tourist attraction.

Jog Falls.m4v

35 sec video of jog falls

IRRIGATION IN KARNATAKAWater is essential for the growth of

plants. Rainfall is the natural source

of water, but rainfall does not occur

throughout the year. So during lean

periods, stores water from ponds,

wells, lakes, rivers and reservoirs is

supplied to crops. This method of

supplying stored water for cultivation

of crops is called irrigation.

The main sources of irrigation are

wells, canals and tanks. At present,

both river water and underground

water are used for irrigation. Nearly

26.2 percent of the land is under

irrigation facility in Karnataka.

Karnataka has occupied the 9th

position in India with regard to

irrigation.

The credit for successful generation of hydro-electric power for the first time in India goes toKarnataka. In Karnataka rivers flowing towards thewest are more suitable for this projects. The firststation was started in Shivansamudra in 1902.This was constructed across the Cavery river.After this, many projects of the same kind wasstarted all over Karnataka. As a result, Karnatakais now second in the production of Hydro-electricpower in India. The main Hydro-electric powerprojects of Karnataka are :

On Sharavathi :

SharavathiLiganamakkiGerusoppaMahatma Gandhi hydro power station

On Kali :

SupaNagajhariKadraKoasalli

On Varahi :

VarahiMari Kanive

On Cavery :

Shivanasamudra

On Krishna :

BhadraTungabadraGhataprabhaAlmatti

Many rivers in India flow through more than

one state. This has given rise to disputes

regarding the use of river water. The Cauvery

and Krishna river disputes are of this kind.

Mainly the Cauvery river dispute which flows in

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerla and Puducherry.

The river water dispute between Karnataka and

Tamil Nadu is more than century old, yet it is a

burning issue even today.

Graphs Relating to water resources of Karnataka