Uttar Pradesh: Rivers - 2 | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Rivers are considered as lifeline for agricultural state because these contribute substantially in the social and economic development of the region. The drainage system of a place is affected by its landforms, slopes, nature of rocks, availability of water, etc. 

Rivers of Uttar Pradesh 

Most of the rivers of the state flow from North-West to South-East direction as the Northern and Western part of Uttar Pradesh is relatively high and the Himalayan mountains have adequate water resources. The plain areas of the state have parallel drainage system.
The state of Uttar Pradesh has a number of rives like Ganga , Yamuna, Gomati, Chambal, and so on. These rivers have many tributaries and streams which drain the state. Apart from this, the state also has some important lakes like Radha kund, Fulhar lake, Barua Sagar, Moti lake, Chittaura lake and so on.
On the basis of the source of origin, the rivers of Uttar Pradesh are divided into three groups: 

• Rivers Emerging from Himalayan Mountains 
  The Ganga, Yamuna, Gandak, Kali (Sharda), Ramganga, Saryu (Ghaghra or Karnali), Kosi (tributary of Ramganga), Rohini, Hindon, Rapti rivers and so on. These are perennial rivers. 
• Rivers Emerging from Gangetic Plains 
  These are Gomati, Varuna, Isan river and so on. The water level of these rivers become low in summer season but these rivers never dry up. 
• Rivers Emerging from Southern Plateau Region 
  These are Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Son, Rihand, Kanhar, Tons and so on. During summer season, the water level in these rivers become very low and they also dry up.

Lakes of Uttar Pradesh 

The state of Uttar Pradesh has very few lakes. These lakes have been formed due to change in the surface with orogenetic forces, formation of ox-bow lake in the meandering of rivers and through water-logging in the low-lying areas. Taandadari is the example of ox-bow lake which is located in Mirzapur. Its water is used for the Mirzapur town.
Some important lakes of Uttar Pradesh are as follows:
Barua Sagar 

• It is the largest lake of Uttar Pradesh which is located in Barua Sagar city in Jhansi district of the state. 
• It is 260 year old lake which was constructed by Raja Udit Singh of Orchha. 
• Jarai-Ka-Math temple and Bundelkhand historic fort are located near the lake.

Belasagar Lake 

• This lake is situated in Belatal village in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh. 
• The lake was constructed by King Parikshit of Jaitpur in 19th century in the memory of his wife Bela. 
• The lake is a key source of water supply and irrigation to the villages located nearby the lake. 

Keetham Lake

• This lake is also known as ‘Sur Sarovar’ which is located outside Agra on the Agra-Delhi Highway (NH-2). The lake is located within the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. 
• Agra canal originating from Okhla barrage on river Yamuna is the source of this lake. 
• Mathura Refinery Water Treatment Plant use the water of this lake which is located nearby Keetham. 

Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Lake 

• It is the largest man-made lake in the country. It is also known as Rihand Dam. This dam is located at Pipri in Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh. 
• This lake is located on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on the Rihand river. 
• The catchment area of the dam has many super thermal power stations such as Singrauli, Vindyachal, Rihand, Anpara and Sasan and Renukoot Super Thermal stations. 

Ramgarh Tal

• This is a natural lake which is located South-East of Gorakhpur district in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. 
• The lake lies within the floodplain of river Rapti and outflows into it through a drain called Gurrah Nalla. 
• In 1970s, the lake had, maximum water spread of about 723 hectares but now has shrunk to 678 hectares. Its maximum water depth has also declined from 4.5 m (in 1990s) to 3.5 m. 

Radhakund Lake 

• This lake is situated 5 km North of Govardhan and 26 km West of Mathura.
• It is believed that at this place Lord Krishna had killed a demon named ‘Arishta’. To commemorate this day a large fair is held on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Kartik (October-November) every year. 
• About 2 km away from this lake, a large Kusum Sarovar is located which is famous for its architecture.   

Manasi Ganga 

• It is a small natural lake which is located in the middle of Govardhan hill, a well-known pilgrimage centre in Mathura. 
• This lake is considered sacred, as by taking bath in this lake one gets, Krishna Prema’ (Love of Krishna). Thus, a considerable number of people come to take a holy dip in this lake.

Important Lakes of Uttar Pradesh