Water Resources of Karnataka

Resources are very important for a nation. Water is an important resource.

1. WATER RESOURCES OF KARNATAKA

2. 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.

3. KRISNA RIVER The Krishna is the second important river of South India. It takes birth at Mahabaleswaram and flows 1,392 kms eastward to join the the Bay of Bengal. But it flows for only 480 km, through Karnataka. The Bhima , Koyna , Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha and Malaprabha are its tributaries. Irigation and hydro–electric current generation from the Krishna river system have benefited Northern Karnataka.

4. 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.

5. WATERFALLS OF KARNATAKA Gokak Bandaje Chaya Bhagavathi Chunchunkatte Shimsha Gaganachukki Bharachukki Magodu waterfall Unchalli Jog Falls

6. Jog Falls Jog Falls,  Gerosoppa Falls or  Jogada Gundi  is the highest plunge waterfall in India. This waterfall on Sharavathi river of height 293 mts is located in  Sagara taluk , Shimoga and Uttara Kannada district border. These segmented falls are a major tourist attraction.

7. 35 sec video of jog falls

8. IRRIGATION IN KARNATAKA Water 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.

9. 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 9 th position in India with regard to irrigation.

10. Hydro-electric power The credit for successful generation of hydro-electric power for the first time in India goes to K arnataka. In Karnataka rivers flowing towards the west are more suitable for this projects. The first station was started in Shivansamudra in 1902. This was constructed across the Cavery river. After this, many projects of the same kind was started all over Karnataka. As a result, Karnataka is now second in the production of Hydro-electric power in India. The main Hydro-electric power projects of Karnataka are :

11. On Sharavathi : Sharavathi Liganamakki Gerusoppa Mahatma Gandhi hydro power station On Kali : Supa Nagajhari Kadra Koasalli

12. On Varahi : Varahi Mari Kanive On Cavery : Shivanasamudra On Krishna : Bhadra Tungabadra Ghataprabha Almatti

13. RIVER WATER DISPUTE 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.

14. Graphs Relating to water resources of Karnataka