Drainage | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Drainage
The region is well drained by numerous rivers and rivulets (locally known as
Gad and Gadhera). Besides lakes or tals of various shapes and sizes are
important water features of the region. They represent young rivers which are
still in younger stage of drainage cycle. Since they are snow fed most of the
rivers are perennial. The drainage can be divided into three main systems
1. The Ganga System
2. The Yamuna System
3. The Kali System
The Ganga System- major part of the region is drained by the Ganga System
covering the whole Garhwal except western part of Uttarkashi district and
western parts of Nainital and Almora districts. All the main rivers of Ganga
system have a peculiar tendency to flow for some distance in structural
troughs parallel to the mountains, but later they take an acute bend to flow in
deep transeverse gorges at places hundreds of metres in depth.
The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda originate from the opposite sides of
Chaukhambha peak. After flowing in opposite directions longitudinally, they
bend at Devprayag thus taking a garland shape. Alaknanda originates at
Satopanth. The Bhagirathi and Janhavi have cut awe-inspiring gorges through
tourmaline granites constituting the central axis of Himalaya. Bhilangna
originating from southern slopes of Khatling glacier meets Bhagirathi at
Ganesh Prayag the place which has now submerged in Tehri lake. Vasudhara
and Ksheer Sagar are important falls on river Alaknanda.Saraswati
originating from Deotal near Mana merges in Alaknanda at Keshawprayag.
Badrinath is located at the confluence of river Rishiganga and Alaknanda.
Dhauliganga which originates at Kulung Peak of Dhaulagiri mountain, meets
Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag. From Vishnuprayag to Paki, Alaknanda flows in
a narrow gorge. Balkhila river after originating from Tungnath-Rudranath
ranges meets Alaknanda at Chamoli (Alkapuri). Birihganga, Patalganga and
Garurganga originating from Trishul parvat are other tributaries of
Alaknanda. Nandakini meets it at Nandaprayag while Pindar river originating
from Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karnprayag. Attagad originating from
Page 2


Drainage
The region is well drained by numerous rivers and rivulets (locally known as
Gad and Gadhera). Besides lakes or tals of various shapes and sizes are
important water features of the region. They represent young rivers which are
still in younger stage of drainage cycle. Since they are snow fed most of the
rivers are perennial. The drainage can be divided into three main systems
1. The Ganga System
2. The Yamuna System
3. The Kali System
The Ganga System- major part of the region is drained by the Ganga System
covering the whole Garhwal except western part of Uttarkashi district and
western parts of Nainital and Almora districts. All the main rivers of Ganga
system have a peculiar tendency to flow for some distance in structural
troughs parallel to the mountains, but later they take an acute bend to flow in
deep transeverse gorges at places hundreds of metres in depth.
The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda originate from the opposite sides of
Chaukhambha peak. After flowing in opposite directions longitudinally, they
bend at Devprayag thus taking a garland shape. Alaknanda originates at
Satopanth. The Bhagirathi and Janhavi have cut awe-inspiring gorges through
tourmaline granites constituting the central axis of Himalaya. Bhilangna
originating from southern slopes of Khatling glacier meets Bhagirathi at
Ganesh Prayag the place which has now submerged in Tehri lake. Vasudhara
and Ksheer Sagar are important falls on river Alaknanda.Saraswati
originating from Deotal near Mana merges in Alaknanda at Keshawprayag.
Badrinath is located at the confluence of river Rishiganga and Alaknanda.
Dhauliganga which originates at Kulung Peak of Dhaulagiri mountain, meets
Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag. From Vishnuprayag to Paki, Alaknanda flows in
a narrow gorge. Balkhila river after originating from Tungnath-Rudranath
ranges meets Alaknanda at Chamoli (Alkapuri). Birihganga, Patalganga and
Garurganga originating from Trishul parvat are other tributaries of
Alaknanda. Nandakini meets it at Nandaprayag while Pindar river originating
from Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karnprayag. Attagad originating from
Dudhatoli is main tributary of Pindar river
Next important river to meet Alaknanda at Rudraprayag is Mandakini
which originates from Mandaranchal range at Chaurabari Glacier in Kedar
Himalaya. Madhuganga which is the main tributary of Mandakini, originates
from Madhyamaheshwar area and meets it near Kalimath.Bhagirathi-
Alaknanda Basin- below Devprayag where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet
the rivers acquires the name Ganga. (According to Kedarkhand of
Skandpuran, Gangadwar ie. Haidwar is the place beyond which Bhagirathi is
called Ganga). It emerges from Himalaya at Lakshman Jhula, flows through
the dun and cuts across the Siwalik range at Haridwar. The Alaknanda is the
main tributary of Bhagirathi. Other important tributaries of the Alaknanda are
Mandakini, Pindar, and Dhauli Ganga. The Ganges has another important
tributary named the Nayar which meets it near Vyasghat before Rishikesh.
Nayar is a joint stream of the two streams namely eastern and western Nayar.
Yamuna-Tons Basin- the Yamuna has its source in the Yamunotri glacier
lying on the southwestern slope of Bandarpunch Peak in Uttarkashi district.
Its smaller headwater stream Hanuman Ganga meets Yamuna at Tons, also
called Tamsa after confluence with Supin and Rupin rivers.Toms, the biggest
tributary of the Yamuna rises from the northern slopes of the Bandarpunch
peak, and flows in a valley northwest of the Yamuna through Arakat Bagad
and Chakrata Hills and joins the latter below Kalsi. It brings nearly double
the volume of water of the Yamuna. River Rupin orginates from Fateh
mountain and Supin from the northern slopes of Bandarpunch mountain.
Asan is other major tributary of Yamuna meeting it at Rampur Mandi where
a barrage has been constructed and the spot has become famous for adventure
sports.
Kali System- about one fourth of the region is drained by the Kali system
covering the district of Pithoragarh,Nainital, Champawat and parts of
Bagheshwar districts. It is the longest river of Uttarakhand. Locally it is
known as Kalapani gad, Kaliganga etc. The Kali has two headwaters i) the
Kalapani and ii) the Kuthi Yankti. The Kalapani, the eastern headwater is a
collection of springs. The Kuthi Yankti, the western headwaters of Kali, rises
from the snowfields of the Himadri (Janskar range). Nikurt, Thumka and
Sangamchumna are main tributaries of Kuth Yankti river.
After the confluence, the Kali flows in a southwesterly direction upto
120km where Gori Ganga meets it at Jauljibi. Gori Ganga originates at
Page 3


Drainage
The region is well drained by numerous rivers and rivulets (locally known as
Gad and Gadhera). Besides lakes or tals of various shapes and sizes are
important water features of the region. They represent young rivers which are
still in younger stage of drainage cycle. Since they are snow fed most of the
rivers are perennial. The drainage can be divided into three main systems
1. The Ganga System
2. The Yamuna System
3. The Kali System
The Ganga System- major part of the region is drained by the Ganga System
covering the whole Garhwal except western part of Uttarkashi district and
western parts of Nainital and Almora districts. All the main rivers of Ganga
system have a peculiar tendency to flow for some distance in structural
troughs parallel to the mountains, but later they take an acute bend to flow in
deep transeverse gorges at places hundreds of metres in depth.
The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda originate from the opposite sides of
Chaukhambha peak. After flowing in opposite directions longitudinally, they
bend at Devprayag thus taking a garland shape. Alaknanda originates at
Satopanth. The Bhagirathi and Janhavi have cut awe-inspiring gorges through
tourmaline granites constituting the central axis of Himalaya. Bhilangna
originating from southern slopes of Khatling glacier meets Bhagirathi at
Ganesh Prayag the place which has now submerged in Tehri lake. Vasudhara
and Ksheer Sagar are important falls on river Alaknanda.Saraswati
originating from Deotal near Mana merges in Alaknanda at Keshawprayag.
Badrinath is located at the confluence of river Rishiganga and Alaknanda.
Dhauliganga which originates at Kulung Peak of Dhaulagiri mountain, meets
Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag. From Vishnuprayag to Paki, Alaknanda flows in
a narrow gorge. Balkhila river after originating from Tungnath-Rudranath
ranges meets Alaknanda at Chamoli (Alkapuri). Birihganga, Patalganga and
Garurganga originating from Trishul parvat are other tributaries of
Alaknanda. Nandakini meets it at Nandaprayag while Pindar river originating
from Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karnprayag. Attagad originating from
Dudhatoli is main tributary of Pindar river
Next important river to meet Alaknanda at Rudraprayag is Mandakini
which originates from Mandaranchal range at Chaurabari Glacier in Kedar
Himalaya. Madhuganga which is the main tributary of Mandakini, originates
from Madhyamaheshwar area and meets it near Kalimath.Bhagirathi-
Alaknanda Basin- below Devprayag where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet
the rivers acquires the name Ganga. (According to Kedarkhand of
Skandpuran, Gangadwar ie. Haidwar is the place beyond which Bhagirathi is
called Ganga). It emerges from Himalaya at Lakshman Jhula, flows through
the dun and cuts across the Siwalik range at Haridwar. The Alaknanda is the
main tributary of Bhagirathi. Other important tributaries of the Alaknanda are
Mandakini, Pindar, and Dhauli Ganga. The Ganges has another important
tributary named the Nayar which meets it near Vyasghat before Rishikesh.
Nayar is a joint stream of the two streams namely eastern and western Nayar.
Yamuna-Tons Basin- the Yamuna has its source in the Yamunotri glacier
lying on the southwestern slope of Bandarpunch Peak in Uttarkashi district.
Its smaller headwater stream Hanuman Ganga meets Yamuna at Tons, also
called Tamsa after confluence with Supin and Rupin rivers.Toms, the biggest
tributary of the Yamuna rises from the northern slopes of the Bandarpunch
peak, and flows in a valley northwest of the Yamuna through Arakat Bagad
and Chakrata Hills and joins the latter below Kalsi. It brings nearly double
the volume of water of the Yamuna. River Rupin orginates from Fateh
mountain and Supin from the northern slopes of Bandarpunch mountain.
Asan is other major tributary of Yamuna meeting it at Rampur Mandi where
a barrage has been constructed and the spot has become famous for adventure
sports.
Kali System- about one fourth of the region is drained by the Kali system
covering the district of Pithoragarh,Nainital, Champawat and parts of
Bagheshwar districts. It is the longest river of Uttarakhand. Locally it is
known as Kalapani gad, Kaliganga etc. The Kali has two headwaters i) the
Kalapani and ii) the Kuthi Yankti. The Kalapani, the eastern headwater is a
collection of springs. The Kuthi Yankti, the western headwaters of Kali, rises
from the snowfields of the Himadri (Janskar range). Nikurt, Thumka and
Sangamchumna are main tributaries of Kuth Yankti river.
After the confluence, the Kali flows in a southwesterly direction upto
120km where Gori Ganga meets it at Jauljibi. Gori Ganga originates at
Bamlas glacier in Malla Johar area of Pithoragarh district and is formed by
two headwater streams namely Gori and the Shunkalpa or Ralam. The Sarju,
a greater feeder of the Kali, meets at Pancheshwar about 45km below Jauljibi.
It is the holiest river of Kumaun and provides maximum water to the river
system.Sarju orginates in Bagheshwar district. Eastern Ramaganga is its main
tributary, which originates from Ponting and Namik glaciers in Pithoragarh
district and meet Sarju at Rameshwar. Dhauliganga or Darma and Lisar
meeting at Tizang form confluence with Kali at Kheela near Syalipanth.
Other important tributaries of Kali joining downstream are the Lohawati
and the Ladhiya. Ladhiya meets it at Chooka. The Kali enters the plains at
Baramdeo, henceforth known as the Sarda.
The Unholy Kali
Despite being lifeline of the region through which it flows and being most
important route for Kailash Mansrovar Yatra, the river Kali is considered
to be unholy in religious beliefs. The main reason for it is its
inaccessibility and steep slopes along its path. River flows rapidly due to
steep slopes along dense forests. Every year number of people get swept
away in this river. Wild animals like bear, leopard and tiger live along the
river which further make it dangerous.
 
Ramganga, Kosi, and Gola are other important rivers in the eastern part of the
region. Song, Khoh, Dabka, Nihal, Bhakra, and Nandhaur are the main
Siwalik rivers, draining outer ranges of the state.
Ramganga originates from eastern slopes of Dudhatoli range and flows
through Almora and Naintal districts meeting the Ganga near Kannauj in UP.
Kalagarh dam with generation capacity of 140 MW is constructed on
Ramganga. Kosi an important tributary of Ramganga originates from
Dharapani Dhar in Almora district and meets the Ramganga near Rampur in
UP.
River Khoh originates near Dwarikhal in Garhwal Himalaya and flows
through Dugadda, Kotdwar meeting the Ganga at Dhampur in UP. Gola also
Page 4


Drainage
The region is well drained by numerous rivers and rivulets (locally known as
Gad and Gadhera). Besides lakes or tals of various shapes and sizes are
important water features of the region. They represent young rivers which are
still in younger stage of drainage cycle. Since they are snow fed most of the
rivers are perennial. The drainage can be divided into three main systems
1. The Ganga System
2. The Yamuna System
3. The Kali System
The Ganga System- major part of the region is drained by the Ganga System
covering the whole Garhwal except western part of Uttarkashi district and
western parts of Nainital and Almora districts. All the main rivers of Ganga
system have a peculiar tendency to flow for some distance in structural
troughs parallel to the mountains, but later they take an acute bend to flow in
deep transeverse gorges at places hundreds of metres in depth.
The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda originate from the opposite sides of
Chaukhambha peak. After flowing in opposite directions longitudinally, they
bend at Devprayag thus taking a garland shape. Alaknanda originates at
Satopanth. The Bhagirathi and Janhavi have cut awe-inspiring gorges through
tourmaline granites constituting the central axis of Himalaya. Bhilangna
originating from southern slopes of Khatling glacier meets Bhagirathi at
Ganesh Prayag the place which has now submerged in Tehri lake. Vasudhara
and Ksheer Sagar are important falls on river Alaknanda.Saraswati
originating from Deotal near Mana merges in Alaknanda at Keshawprayag.
Badrinath is located at the confluence of river Rishiganga and Alaknanda.
Dhauliganga which originates at Kulung Peak of Dhaulagiri mountain, meets
Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag. From Vishnuprayag to Paki, Alaknanda flows in
a narrow gorge. Balkhila river after originating from Tungnath-Rudranath
ranges meets Alaknanda at Chamoli (Alkapuri). Birihganga, Patalganga and
Garurganga originating from Trishul parvat are other tributaries of
Alaknanda. Nandakini meets it at Nandaprayag while Pindar river originating
from Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karnprayag. Attagad originating from
Dudhatoli is main tributary of Pindar river
Next important river to meet Alaknanda at Rudraprayag is Mandakini
which originates from Mandaranchal range at Chaurabari Glacier in Kedar
Himalaya. Madhuganga which is the main tributary of Mandakini, originates
from Madhyamaheshwar area and meets it near Kalimath.Bhagirathi-
Alaknanda Basin- below Devprayag where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet
the rivers acquires the name Ganga. (According to Kedarkhand of
Skandpuran, Gangadwar ie. Haidwar is the place beyond which Bhagirathi is
called Ganga). It emerges from Himalaya at Lakshman Jhula, flows through
the dun and cuts across the Siwalik range at Haridwar. The Alaknanda is the
main tributary of Bhagirathi. Other important tributaries of the Alaknanda are
Mandakini, Pindar, and Dhauli Ganga. The Ganges has another important
tributary named the Nayar which meets it near Vyasghat before Rishikesh.
Nayar is a joint stream of the two streams namely eastern and western Nayar.
Yamuna-Tons Basin- the Yamuna has its source in the Yamunotri glacier
lying on the southwestern slope of Bandarpunch Peak in Uttarkashi district.
Its smaller headwater stream Hanuman Ganga meets Yamuna at Tons, also
called Tamsa after confluence with Supin and Rupin rivers.Toms, the biggest
tributary of the Yamuna rises from the northern slopes of the Bandarpunch
peak, and flows in a valley northwest of the Yamuna through Arakat Bagad
and Chakrata Hills and joins the latter below Kalsi. It brings nearly double
the volume of water of the Yamuna. River Rupin orginates from Fateh
mountain and Supin from the northern slopes of Bandarpunch mountain.
Asan is other major tributary of Yamuna meeting it at Rampur Mandi where
a barrage has been constructed and the spot has become famous for adventure
sports.
Kali System- about one fourth of the region is drained by the Kali system
covering the district of Pithoragarh,Nainital, Champawat and parts of
Bagheshwar districts. It is the longest river of Uttarakhand. Locally it is
known as Kalapani gad, Kaliganga etc. The Kali has two headwaters i) the
Kalapani and ii) the Kuthi Yankti. The Kalapani, the eastern headwater is a
collection of springs. The Kuthi Yankti, the western headwaters of Kali, rises
from the snowfields of the Himadri (Janskar range). Nikurt, Thumka and
Sangamchumna are main tributaries of Kuth Yankti river.
After the confluence, the Kali flows in a southwesterly direction upto
120km where Gori Ganga meets it at Jauljibi. Gori Ganga originates at
Bamlas glacier in Malla Johar area of Pithoragarh district and is formed by
two headwater streams namely Gori and the Shunkalpa or Ralam. The Sarju,
a greater feeder of the Kali, meets at Pancheshwar about 45km below Jauljibi.
It is the holiest river of Kumaun and provides maximum water to the river
system.Sarju orginates in Bagheshwar district. Eastern Ramaganga is its main
tributary, which originates from Ponting and Namik glaciers in Pithoragarh
district and meet Sarju at Rameshwar. Dhauliganga or Darma and Lisar
meeting at Tizang form confluence with Kali at Kheela near Syalipanth.
Other important tributaries of Kali joining downstream are the Lohawati
and the Ladhiya. Ladhiya meets it at Chooka. The Kali enters the plains at
Baramdeo, henceforth known as the Sarda.
The Unholy Kali
Despite being lifeline of the region through which it flows and being most
important route for Kailash Mansrovar Yatra, the river Kali is considered
to be unholy in religious beliefs. The main reason for it is its
inaccessibility and steep slopes along its path. River flows rapidly due to
steep slopes along dense forests. Every year number of people get swept
away in this river. Wild animals like bear, leopard and tiger live along the
river which further make it dangerous.
 
Ramganga, Kosi, and Gola are other important rivers in the eastern part of the
region. Song, Khoh, Dabka, Nihal, Bhakra, and Nandhaur are the main
Siwalik rivers, draining outer ranges of the state.
Ramganga originates from eastern slopes of Dudhatoli range and flows
through Almora and Naintal districts meeting the Ganga near Kannauj in UP.
Kalagarh dam with generation capacity of 140 MW is constructed on
Ramganga. Kosi an important tributary of Ramganga originates from
Dharapani Dhar in Almora district and meets the Ramganga near Rampur in
UP.
River Khoh originates near Dwarikhal in Garhwal Himalaya and flows
through Dugadda, Kotdwar meeting the Ganga at Dhampur in UP. Gola also
known as Gargi originates from Paharpani in Nainital district and flows
through Okhalkanda, Tushrar, Khansyu, Kathgodam and Haldwani. It
disappears after Kichchha. The Saunga and Suswa rivers originate from
Surakanda peak and Ogalawala respectively. Flowing through eastern Dun
valley they meet the Ganga near Raiwala.
Origin- These rivers have evolved through a long period of geological
history. They originate on the southern slopes of the Tibetan Highlands and
first flow parallel to the main axis of the mountains in longitudinal troughs.
They take a sudden bend towards the south carving out deep gorges across
the mountain ranges to reach the northern plains of India. These rivers have
originated from a common river system existing prior to the origin of
Himalaya called Tsangpo-Indus-Oxus combine.
Another big river called Indobrahma or the Shivalik traversed the entire
longitudinal extent of Himalaya from Assam to Punjab to empty into Sind
Gulf. With the rise of Himalaya this river got fragmented and several small
rivers originated which cut into Himalaya to reach their prsesnt form. Along
the southern slope of the Lesser Himalaya a number of consequent streams
also emerged which drained into southern foredeep.The rivers of
Uttarakhand, are older than that of Himalaya. With the upliftment of
Himalaya, pr-existing rivers started cutting across Himalaya, and made their
way. As the rate of upliftment of Himalaya increased, the rate of erosion
(downcutting) also accelerated. In this way intense downcutting led to
formation of V-shaped valleys and later, gorges and canyons.
Name of the river Origion Outflow in UK Distance (km)
Kali Lipulekh Tanakpur 252
Bhagirathi Gaumukh Deoprayag 205
Alaknanda Satopanth Deoprayag 195
Bhilangana Khatling Glacier Tehri 80
Kosi Kausani Sultanpur 168
Ramganga(western) Dudhatoli Kalagarh 155
Tons Rupin-Supin Glacier Dak Pathar 148
Saryu Sarmool Pancheshwar 146
Page 5


Drainage
The region is well drained by numerous rivers and rivulets (locally known as
Gad and Gadhera). Besides lakes or tals of various shapes and sizes are
important water features of the region. They represent young rivers which are
still in younger stage of drainage cycle. Since they are snow fed most of the
rivers are perennial. The drainage can be divided into three main systems
1. The Ganga System
2. The Yamuna System
3. The Kali System
The Ganga System- major part of the region is drained by the Ganga System
covering the whole Garhwal except western part of Uttarkashi district and
western parts of Nainital and Almora districts. All the main rivers of Ganga
system have a peculiar tendency to flow for some distance in structural
troughs parallel to the mountains, but later they take an acute bend to flow in
deep transeverse gorges at places hundreds of metres in depth.
The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda originate from the opposite sides of
Chaukhambha peak. After flowing in opposite directions longitudinally, they
bend at Devprayag thus taking a garland shape. Alaknanda originates at
Satopanth. The Bhagirathi and Janhavi have cut awe-inspiring gorges through
tourmaline granites constituting the central axis of Himalaya. Bhilangna
originating from southern slopes of Khatling glacier meets Bhagirathi at
Ganesh Prayag the place which has now submerged in Tehri lake. Vasudhara
and Ksheer Sagar are important falls on river Alaknanda.Saraswati
originating from Deotal near Mana merges in Alaknanda at Keshawprayag.
Badrinath is located at the confluence of river Rishiganga and Alaknanda.
Dhauliganga which originates at Kulung Peak of Dhaulagiri mountain, meets
Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag. From Vishnuprayag to Paki, Alaknanda flows in
a narrow gorge. Balkhila river after originating from Tungnath-Rudranath
ranges meets Alaknanda at Chamoli (Alkapuri). Birihganga, Patalganga and
Garurganga originating from Trishul parvat are other tributaries of
Alaknanda. Nandakini meets it at Nandaprayag while Pindar river originating
from Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karnprayag. Attagad originating from
Dudhatoli is main tributary of Pindar river
Next important river to meet Alaknanda at Rudraprayag is Mandakini
which originates from Mandaranchal range at Chaurabari Glacier in Kedar
Himalaya. Madhuganga which is the main tributary of Mandakini, originates
from Madhyamaheshwar area and meets it near Kalimath.Bhagirathi-
Alaknanda Basin- below Devprayag where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet
the rivers acquires the name Ganga. (According to Kedarkhand of
Skandpuran, Gangadwar ie. Haidwar is the place beyond which Bhagirathi is
called Ganga). It emerges from Himalaya at Lakshman Jhula, flows through
the dun and cuts across the Siwalik range at Haridwar. The Alaknanda is the
main tributary of Bhagirathi. Other important tributaries of the Alaknanda are
Mandakini, Pindar, and Dhauli Ganga. The Ganges has another important
tributary named the Nayar which meets it near Vyasghat before Rishikesh.
Nayar is a joint stream of the two streams namely eastern and western Nayar.
Yamuna-Tons Basin- the Yamuna has its source in the Yamunotri glacier
lying on the southwestern slope of Bandarpunch Peak in Uttarkashi district.
Its smaller headwater stream Hanuman Ganga meets Yamuna at Tons, also
called Tamsa after confluence with Supin and Rupin rivers.Toms, the biggest
tributary of the Yamuna rises from the northern slopes of the Bandarpunch
peak, and flows in a valley northwest of the Yamuna through Arakat Bagad
and Chakrata Hills and joins the latter below Kalsi. It brings nearly double
the volume of water of the Yamuna. River Rupin orginates from Fateh
mountain and Supin from the northern slopes of Bandarpunch mountain.
Asan is other major tributary of Yamuna meeting it at Rampur Mandi where
a barrage has been constructed and the spot has become famous for adventure
sports.
Kali System- about one fourth of the region is drained by the Kali system
covering the district of Pithoragarh,Nainital, Champawat and parts of
Bagheshwar districts. It is the longest river of Uttarakhand. Locally it is
known as Kalapani gad, Kaliganga etc. The Kali has two headwaters i) the
Kalapani and ii) the Kuthi Yankti. The Kalapani, the eastern headwater is a
collection of springs. The Kuthi Yankti, the western headwaters of Kali, rises
from the snowfields of the Himadri (Janskar range). Nikurt, Thumka and
Sangamchumna are main tributaries of Kuth Yankti river.
After the confluence, the Kali flows in a southwesterly direction upto
120km where Gori Ganga meets it at Jauljibi. Gori Ganga originates at
Bamlas glacier in Malla Johar area of Pithoragarh district and is formed by
two headwater streams namely Gori and the Shunkalpa or Ralam. The Sarju,
a greater feeder of the Kali, meets at Pancheshwar about 45km below Jauljibi.
It is the holiest river of Kumaun and provides maximum water to the river
system.Sarju orginates in Bagheshwar district. Eastern Ramaganga is its main
tributary, which originates from Ponting and Namik glaciers in Pithoragarh
district and meet Sarju at Rameshwar. Dhauliganga or Darma and Lisar
meeting at Tizang form confluence with Kali at Kheela near Syalipanth.
Other important tributaries of Kali joining downstream are the Lohawati
and the Ladhiya. Ladhiya meets it at Chooka. The Kali enters the plains at
Baramdeo, henceforth known as the Sarda.
The Unholy Kali
Despite being lifeline of the region through which it flows and being most
important route for Kailash Mansrovar Yatra, the river Kali is considered
to be unholy in religious beliefs. The main reason for it is its
inaccessibility and steep slopes along its path. River flows rapidly due to
steep slopes along dense forests. Every year number of people get swept
away in this river. Wild animals like bear, leopard and tiger live along the
river which further make it dangerous.
 
Ramganga, Kosi, and Gola are other important rivers in the eastern part of the
region. Song, Khoh, Dabka, Nihal, Bhakra, and Nandhaur are the main
Siwalik rivers, draining outer ranges of the state.
Ramganga originates from eastern slopes of Dudhatoli range and flows
through Almora and Naintal districts meeting the Ganga near Kannauj in UP.
Kalagarh dam with generation capacity of 140 MW is constructed on
Ramganga. Kosi an important tributary of Ramganga originates from
Dharapani Dhar in Almora district and meets the Ramganga near Rampur in
UP.
River Khoh originates near Dwarikhal in Garhwal Himalaya and flows
through Dugadda, Kotdwar meeting the Ganga at Dhampur in UP. Gola also
known as Gargi originates from Paharpani in Nainital district and flows
through Okhalkanda, Tushrar, Khansyu, Kathgodam and Haldwani. It
disappears after Kichchha. The Saunga and Suswa rivers originate from
Surakanda peak and Ogalawala respectively. Flowing through eastern Dun
valley they meet the Ganga near Raiwala.
Origin- These rivers have evolved through a long period of geological
history. They originate on the southern slopes of the Tibetan Highlands and
first flow parallel to the main axis of the mountains in longitudinal troughs.
They take a sudden bend towards the south carving out deep gorges across
the mountain ranges to reach the northern plains of India. These rivers have
originated from a common river system existing prior to the origin of
Himalaya called Tsangpo-Indus-Oxus combine.
Another big river called Indobrahma or the Shivalik traversed the entire
longitudinal extent of Himalaya from Assam to Punjab to empty into Sind
Gulf. With the rise of Himalaya this river got fragmented and several small
rivers originated which cut into Himalaya to reach their prsesnt form. Along
the southern slope of the Lesser Himalaya a number of consequent streams
also emerged which drained into southern foredeep.The rivers of
Uttarakhand, are older than that of Himalaya. With the upliftment of
Himalaya, pr-existing rivers started cutting across Himalaya, and made their
way. As the rate of upliftment of Himalaya increased, the rate of erosion
(downcutting) also accelerated. In this way intense downcutting led to
formation of V-shaped valleys and later, gorges and canyons.
Name of the river Origion Outflow in UK Distance (km)
Kali Lipulekh Tanakpur 252
Bhagirathi Gaumukh Deoprayag 205
Alaknanda Satopanth Deoprayag 195
Bhilangana Khatling Glacier Tehri 80
Kosi Kausani Sultanpur 168
Ramganga(western) Dudhatoli Kalagarh 155
Tons Rupin-Supin Glacier Dak Pathar 148
Saryu Sarmool Pancheshwar 146
Yamuna Yamunotri Dhalipur 136
Ramganga(eastern) Ponting Glacier Rameshwar 108
Pindar Pindari Glacier Karnaprayag 105
Gori Milam Jauljibi 104
Gaula Pharpani Kichchha 102
Dhauli(Garhwal) Deovan Glacier Vishnuprayag 94
Dhauli(Kumaun) Govan Khana Gl. Tawadhar 91
Nayar(Eastern) Dudhatoli Satpuli 109
Nayar (western) Dudhatoli Satpuli 78
Mandakini Kedarnath Rudraprayag 72
Ganga Deoprayag Haridwar 96
Nandakini Nanda Ghungti Nandprayag 56
Kuti Lampiadhura Kali 54
Ladhiya Thali Chuka 52
Lohavati Ever Mount Kali 48
Drainage System and Pattern
Drainage Pattern- The rivers have formed deep valleys. In general, the
dendritic pattern is most common drainage pattern in Himalayan rivers. Local
radial pattern has also developed around the hills and peaks. Trellis drainage
is to be found in the areas of thrusts and local faults where main streams have
their subsequent affluents at right angles. All the main rivers make a steep
descent in the first ten or twenty kilometers of their longitudinal profiles and
afterwards their gradient is not very steep. Other than this centripetal and
centrifugal pattern also found locally.
Drainage System- Himalayan river systems have originated as a result of
complex processes. Pre existing Himalayan rivers influence present drainage
system in the state. Since these preexisting rivers cut across newely formed
mountains they represent anticident drainage system (against existing slope).
Due to ample rainfall and steep slopes, multiple rills and gullies called
Gadheras have divided mountains into hillocks called Danda. These seasonal
gadheras keep on changing their path thus forming multiple deep and narrow