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Krishna River

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

The Krishna River is a massive and vital waterway in India. It is the third-longest river in the country. It is also the fourth-largest in terms of water inflows and river basin area. This river is sometimes called the Krishnaveni. It flows through the Deccan Plateau region. The river serves as a major source of irrigation for many people. It supports the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Krishna River basin map
Krishna River basin map

The river begins its journey in the Western Ghats. This mountain range is located near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. The river starts at an elevation in this area. From Mahabaleshwar, the water flows toward the town of Wai. It then continues traveling east across the peninsula. The river eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal. During its journey, it passes through four different Indian states.

Gokak Falls
Gokak Falls

Many smaller rivers join the Krishna to make it larger. These are called tributaries. The Krishna has 13 major tributaries. Some of the most important ones include the Ghataprabha and the Malaprabha. The Bhima River is the longest tributary of the entire system. The Tungabhadra River is another major one. It has a very large catchment area and a long length. Near the town of Sangli, three rivers named Panchganga, Warana, and Yerla meet the Krishna.

Kudalasangama 7
Kudalasangama 7

The area drained by the river is known as the Krishna Basin. This basin covers about 8% of the total land in India. It is the fifth-largest basin in the country. The landscape is mostly rolling and undulating land. The western border is formed by the Western Ghats. Many different types of soil exist here. These include black soils, red soils, and laterite soils. There is also alluvium and saline soil in the basin.

Krishna River basin map
Krishna River basin map

The basin is very rich in natural resources. There are many mineral deposits found in the ground. People mine for coal, iron, and gold in this region. There are also deposits of oil, gas, and limestone. Some areas even contain uranium and diamonds. The Krishna-Godavari delta is especially famous. It is often called the "Rice Granary of India" because of its farming.

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Gates view
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Gates view

Nature is very active in the Krishna Basin. The Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary protects the last mangrove forests in the estuary. This sanctuary is home to many migratory and resident birds. You might see fishing cats, otters, or estuarine crocodiles there. Other animals include spotted deer, blackbucks, and jackals. Many other protected areas exist in the basin. These include the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve and the Chandoli National Park.

Kudalasangama 7
Kudalasangama 7

Humans have built many structures to manage the water. Large dams like the Srisailam Dam and the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam are used. These dams help control the river. In 2015, the Godavari River was linked to the Krishna. This was done using the Polavaram right bank canal. This project helps bring more water to the Prakasam Barrage. This ensures there is enough water for farming in Andhra Pradesh.

NSRS Srisailam Dam
NSRS Srisailam Dam

The river is also a very sacred place for Hindus. It is believed that bathing in the river removes sins. Many people go on pilgrimages to temples along its banks. The Krishna Pushkaram fair is a major event. It is held once every twelve years. Famous temples include the Kanaka Durga Temple and the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. Even historic bridges, like those built by the British, cross the water. These bridges help connect different towns and villages.

Panorama of Prakasam Barrage and Railway bridges
Panorama of Prakasam Barrage and Railway bridges
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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Kudalasangama 7.jpg
Kudalasangama 7.jpg
File:Krishna_River_basin_map.svg
Krishna_River_basin_map.svg
File:Gokak Falls.jpg
Gokak Falls.jpg
File:Pre Historic Mid Krishna-Tungabhadra Valley sites.jpg
Pre Historic Mid Krishna-Tungabhadra...
File:Panorama of Prakasam Barrage and Railway bridges.jpg
Panorama of Prakasam Barrage and Railway...
File:Navjeevan Exp KrishnaRiverBridge.jpg
Navjeevan Exp KrishnaRiverBridge.jpg
File:NSRS Srisailam Dam.jpg
NSRS Srisailam Dam.jpg
File:Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Gates view.jpg
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Gates view.jpg
File:Alamatti dam.JPG
Alamatti dam.JPG
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