Drainage System in Jammu &Kashmir

The drainage system of Jammu and Kashmir,  consists of rivers, lakes, springs and glaciers. The main rivers include Jhelum. Chenab and Indus and their tributaries. They also have many perennial hot and cold springs.

Rivers

There are many rivers which originate from high mountains and flow through the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. All the major rivers are perennial in nature. The important rivers are described as follows

Rivers of Jammu Region Important rivers of Jammu region are

Chenab River

⭕The ancient name of the Chenab river is Asikni. This river originates from Baralacha La pass (4890 m) in Lahaul and Spiti region of the Himachal Pradesh.

 It assumes the name Chenab when it enters into Jammu and Kashmir near Paddar at Kishtwar and cross Doda, Ramban and Reasi districts.

It is formed by two streams, namely, the Chandra and Bhaga that flow out from Baralacha and meet at Tandi.

Due to the confluence of these streams, the river is also called Chandrabhaga.

⭕Its total length is about 960 km. It covers the length of 504 km in Jammu and Kashmir. It drains the Eastern section of the Southern slope of Pir Panjal.

It leaves Jammu and Kashmir at Akhnoor and enters into Sialkot in Pakistan.

⭕Many hydel power projects are located on this river like Salal, Dalhasti, Sawalkot and Baghilar.

Important tributaries of Chenab river are Miyar Nala, Marusudar (biggest right bank tributary), Tawi (biggest left bank tributary) Bhut Nala, Lidrari, Sohal and Thirot.

Marusudar River

⭕It originates from Lahaul valley at an elevation of about 5175 m. In the beginning, two streams namely Batkot and Gumbar emerge and then they merge to

form Warwan river.

In the lower areas of Jammu region, Marusudar river is known as the Warwan It flows in North to South direction. Its catchment area is almost fan shaped.

Tawi River  

⭕This river originates from Kailash Kund glacier located in Bhadarwah of Doda district(Jammu). Its total length is about 141 km. It passes through Jammu, Ramnagar, Nagrota, Chenani, Udhampur and small parts of Doda district.

Joins Chenab river in sialkot district of Pakistan. 

⚫ Chenani Hydro Power Project is constructed on this river.

Ravi River

The ancient name of Ravi river is Parusni, It is also called Iravati.

This river originates from Bara Bhangal near Rohtang pass in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Its total length is about 720 km. The river passes through two mountain ranges, namely,

Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar. It passes through Pakistan and merges with Indus river Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. Basholi is an important town situated on the right bank of this river.

Important tributaries of this river are Budhil. Naior Dhona, Seul and Siawa.

Ujh River

This river originates from the Domal structure of Seojdhar range in the Middle Himalayas. It is the second most important river of Kathua district after Ravi river. It covers a length of 65 km in Kathua district of Jammu region.

It is a branch of Ravi river that comes from Ramkot side of Jammu, passes through

 ⚫ It covers a length of 73 km in Kashmir valley. It

Kathua district and then enters Pakistan.

. Timber logs from hills to plains are transported via this river. Important tributaries of this river are Naaz

and Bhinni Nala.

is the second major tributary of river Jhelum

Rivers of Kashmir Region

Jhelum River

The ancient name of Jhelum river is Vitasta It is the main waterway in the Kashmir valley It is also called Vyeth in Kashmiri.

It joins the Chenab river in Sialkot district of This river originates from Verinag spring which lies 80 km South-East of Srinagar district The total length of the river is about 725 km and it covers a length of 177 km in the valley

of Kashmir In Srinagar, many tributaries join this river and thus, it becomes navigable from Khannabal to Wular lake.

Jhelum river is also known as the Lifeline of Srinagar and it bifurcates the city into two parts This river flows through Baramulla district and across the Jammu region, after that it leaves for

Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag cities are situated on both the sides of Jhelum river.

Many hydel power projects are located on this river eg Ganderbal. Lower Jhelum, Upper Sindh, Uri-l, etc. It has about 24 tributaries. Important tributaries are Sindh, Pohru, Vishow, Rambaira, Liddar, Romushi, Dudhganga, etc.

Liddar River 

• This river originates from the Kolahoi glacier in the North-Western Himalayan range abour 26 km North from Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. and meets it in North of Anantnag town. • Pahalgam is situated at the center of Liddar valley. It has two main tributaries, Liddar East and Liddar West

Sind River

The Sind river is formed by the confluence of two streams. One stream originating from Zojila and the other from Dachinpara. These streams meet at Baltal and assume the name Sind.

 Sind river is 108 km in length and flow through Ganderbal district. It joins Jhelum river at Shadipora.

The famous hill station near this river is Sonmarg.

Lakes of Jammu

Important lakes of Jammu are 

Mansar Lake

This lake is situated 55 km East of Jammu at an altitude of 666 m in the Shiwalik range. . Its also known as Mansarovar lake.

It is a freshwater lake. Mansar lake is a small lake which is about 1204 m in length and

about 645 m in width. . Sheshnag Shrine is situated on its Eastern bank. People take a holy dip in it on festive

occasions. This lake is situated about 40 km to the

Surinsar Lake

North-East of Jammu at an altitude of 605 m. It is a freshwater lake. It is about 888 m in length and 444 m in width. It is a famous picturesque tourist spot in Jammu region.

Lakes of Kashmir

Important lakes of Kashmir are

Anchar Lake 

This lake is situated in Srinagar. It is about 8 km long and 3 km wide.

This lake lies at an altiude of 1585 m. About half of its area is deteriorated and has become a marshland.

This lake is connected to Dal lake via a channel. Excessive water of Dal lake is diverted here. Ganderbal town is situated on its North-West bank

Dal Lake This lake is situated in the East of Srinagar. The lake covers 18 sq km area which makes it the second largest lake in the Union Territory. Rup Lank (Char Chinar) and Sona Lank islands are situated at the centre of Lokut and Bod Dal. respectively. It is about 8 km in length and 6.4 km in width. It is also known as Jewel in the Crown of

Kashmir or Srinagar's Jewel. . This lake is one of the most beautiful lakes of India and attracts national as well as international tourists.

Dal lake offers commercial uses like fishing, weed harvesting, vegetable growing, flower cultivation, birds canoeing, boating and houseboats.

The lake is surrounded by Mughal Gardens. The lake also has floating gardens where different

types of vegetables are grown.

Gangabal Lake This lake is situated on the North-East slopes of Harmukh mountains at an altitude of approx 3600 m above mean sea level. The lake is located 45 km North of Srinagar in district Ganderbal 

Hokersar Lake . This lake is situated 13 km from Srinagar. It is about 5 km in length and 1.5 km in width. • It is a home to migratory birds that comes in winter season. c.g. waterfowls, shorebirds and trans-Himalayan species. Due to its ecological value, the lake has been declared as Conservation Reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Prorection)Act, 1978. In 2005, the lake has been declared as Ramsar Site under Ramsar Convention.

Kausar Nag Lake

This lake is situated between the peaks of Pir Panjal range in extreme South-West of Kashmir valley, in the Kulgam district.

It is located at an altitude of 400 m above mean sea level. The lake is about 5 km long. and 3 km wide. It is also known as Vishu Pad. 

⚫ Veshaw river originate from this lake.

Manasbal Lake This lake is located 29 km from Srinagar in Ganderbal district. It covers an area of 2.81 sqkm in the Union Territory.

It is about 5 km long and 1 km wide. A canal connects this lake with the Jhelum river near Sumbal.

Sheshnag Lake This lake is situated on the North-Eastern side of Dachnipora town of Anantnag district of Kashmir region.

It is situated at an altitude of 3600 m above mean sea level. This lake is about 2 km long and 1 km wide.

Wular Lake

This lake is situated in Bandipore district Northern part of Kashmir valley, 32 km North-West of Srinagar. It lies between the towns of Sopore and Bandipore. It is the largest freshwater lake in India, which covers an area of about 200 sq km. It 24 km long and 10 km wide.

River Jhelum flows into the lake from South-East and leaves it from West. The lake also has a small island in its ce called the "Zaina Lank'. This island was constructed in 1444 on the orders of Ka La Sultan Zail-ul-Abidin.

Nigeen Lake

It is located close to Dal lake and is also inter-connected by a small water channel

It is surrounded by Willow and Poplar trees It is a very popular tourist attraction just like the Dal lake.

The lake is around 2.7 km in length and is located adjacent to the Hari Parbat Hillock in Srinagar district.