Krishna River : Origin, Basin, Tributaries & Major Project

Krishna river is an inter state river located in Maharashtra. It has a length of 1337 meters. It flows from east to west through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. There are several major Krishna tributaries including Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Bhima, and Tungabhadra.

Krishna River is originated from Mahabaleshwar, which is located near Jor village in Maharashtra. This river empties into the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh.

Check the origin, tributaries, and features of Krishna River detailed below.

Overview of Krishna River

Here is an overview about Krishna River as mentioned below.

Origin	Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
Length	1,400 km
States Flowed Through	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Major Krishna River Tributaries	Tungabhadra, Koyna, Bhima, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha
Dams and Reservoirs	Srisailam Dam, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Almatti Dam, Koyna Dam, Tungabhadra Dam

Origin of Krishna River

The Krishna River travels a length about 1,400 kilometers through four Indian states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. This river starts from the Mahabaleshwar range in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, the river first flows westward for around 450 kilometers. Once it enters Karnataka, it turns sharply southward and flows for about 480 kilometers within the state.

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As it reaches Telangana, the river changes direction, flowing eastward for about 360 kilometers. Finally, it enters Andhra Pradesh, where it forms a fertile delta covering about 16,000 square kilometers. After passing through the delta, the Krishna River eventually joins the Bay of Bengal at Krishnapatnam.

Course of Krishna River

The Krishna River is one of the major rivers in India. It orginates from Western Ghats and flowing towards the Eastern Coast.

• Origin: The Krishna River originates at Mahabaleshwar in the state of Maharashtra. It is situated in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 1,300 meters.

• Flow through Maharashtra: The river initially flows eastward through the state of Maharashtra, passing through the cities of Sangli and Satara. The Dhom Dam is one of the important structures on the Krishna River in Maharashtra.

• Flow through Karnataka: After enetering Maharashtra, the Krishna River enters the state of Karnataka. It flows through the districts of Bijapur, Bagalkot, Raichur, and Yadgir. Several dams and reservoirs, such as the Almatti Dam and the Narayanpur Dam. It have been constructed on the river in Karnataka for irrigation and hydropower generation.

• Flow through Telangana: The Krishna River continues its journey into Telangana by entering through the cities of Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda. The Srisailam Dam, located on the border of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, is a major reservoir on the Krishna.

• Flow through Andhra Pradesh: The majority of the Krishna River basin lies in Andhra Pradesh. The river enters through several districts, including Kurnool, Krishna, Guntur, and West Godavari.

• Delta Region: The Krishna River finally enters into the Bay of Bengal, forming a delta in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. The delta is known for its fertile agricultural land and is an important region for rice cultivation.

Krishna Basin

The Krishna River basin is one of the major river basins in India. The basin is named after the Krishna River, which is one of the longest rivers in India. Here are key details about the Krishna River basin.

Geographical Extent:

• States: The Krishna River basin spans several states in South India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Western Ghats: The river originates in the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.

River System:

• Main River: The Krishna River is the primary river in the basin, flowing from west to east.
• Tributaries: The basin is covered by numerous tributaries, including the Tungabhadra, Bhima, Koyna, and Ghataprabha rivers, among others.

Dams and Reservoirs:

• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: Located on the border of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it is one of the largest dams in the world and a crucial water storage facility.
• Almatti Dam:This dam is located in Karnataka. It is a multi-purpose dam serving irrigation, hydropower, and flood control.

Agriculture:

• The Krishna River basin is extensively used for agriculture, and its waters are crucial for irrigation in the states it flows through.

Features of Krishna River

• Krishna river is the third largest river in terms of discharge.
• It originates from the mahabaleshwar and flows for 1400 km before daining into Bay of Bengal in the Andhra Pradesh.
• Krishna river basin has an area of 1,450,000 square kilometres.
• The Krishna River is also harnessed for hydroelectric power generation.
• The river and its basin support diverse flora and fauna, including several endemic and migratory bird species

Tributaries of Krishna River – Overview

Krishna River has a total of 25 tributaries in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Below is the list of major tributaries of Krishna River.

SL NO	Tributary Name	Location
1	Bhima River	Maharashtra/Karnataka
2	Tungabhadra River	Karnataka
3	Koyna River	Maharashtra
4	Ghataprabha River	Karnataka
5	Malaprabha River	Karnataka
6	Musi River	Telangana
7	Dindi River	Telangana
8	Munneru River	Telangana
9	Paleru River	Telangana
10	Peddavagu River	Telangana
11	Bheema River	Telangana/Andhra Pradesh
12	Kudali River	Andhra Pradesh
13	Venna River	Andhra Pradesh
14	Venna River	Andhra Pradesh
15	Munneru River	Andhra Pradesh
16	Paleru River	Andhra Pradesh

Tributaries of Krishna River

Tungabhadra is one of the major tributaries of the Krishna River. It flows through the districts of Bellary and Raichur in Karnataka before joining the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. The Bhima River is another important tributary, originating in Maharashtra and flowing southeastward through the state of Karnataka before joining the Krishna River in Telangana. Here are the tributaries of Krishna River as mentioned below.

Panchganga River

The Panchganga River is a major river that meets the Krishna River and begins near a town called Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. It forms when five rivers join together – Krishna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri, and Koyna.

The Panchganga River flows for about 105 kilometers before joining the Krishna River near the town of Karad. This river is very useful for farming as it provides water for crops, and it’s also used to generate electricity.

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Koyna River

The Koyna River is a large river that goes into the Krishna River. It begins in a place called Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. This river comes from the Western Ghats, which are mountains in India. It flows for about 130 kilometers before meeting the Krishna River near the town of Karad. The Koyna River is known for its beautiful sights.

There’s a place called the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary along the river, which has many different plants and animals. Some of the animals there are tigers, leopards, and sloth bears. Also, there’s a big dam called the Koyna Dam on the river, and it’s one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in India.

Bhima River

The Bhima River is an important river that adds water to the Krishna River. It starts in the Western Ghats near the town of Bhimashankar in Maharashtra. The river flows for about 725 kilometers before meeting the Krishna River close to the town of Raichur in Karnataka. The Bhima River is crucial for watering crops in the area, and it’s also used to make electricity through hydropower.

Tungabhadra River

The Tungabhadra River is a big river that adds water to the Krishna River. It starts in the Western Ghats near the town of Kudligi in Karnataka. The river flows for about 531 kilometers before meeting the Krishna River close to the town of Alampur in Telangana. The Tungabhadra River is famous for its history and culture, and there are many old temples and monuments along its path.

Ghataprabha River

The Ghataprabha River is a river that adds water to the Krishna River. It starts in the Western Ghats near the town of Gokak in Karnataka.

The river flows for about 283 kilometers before meeting the Krishna River near the town of Almatti in Karnataka. The Ghataprabha River is admired for its beautiful scenery and is home to waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries.

Dudhganga

The Dudhganga River is a part of the Krishna River System in Maharashtra, western India. Starting in the Sahyadri Range, it flows for about 50 kilometers before joining the Krishna River near Karad. The river goes through the districts of Satara and Sangli and plays a big role in watering crops in the area.

It’s also important for making electricity through hydropower, as there are small power stations along the river. In the Sahyadri Range, there’s the Dudhganga Wildlife Sanctuary, home to various plants and animals like tigers, leopards, and wild boars.

Musi River

The Musi River is a part of the Krishna River, starting near the town of Anantagiri in Telangana. It flows for about 240 kilometers before meeting the Krishna River near Vadapally in Telangana. The Musi River provides water for farming, industries, and homes in the area.

This river is known for its history and has important landmarks and monuments nearby. Unfortunately, it has become polluted and harmed due to factories and cities being built close to it. People are concerned that the river may not stay healthy and safe for a long time.

Flora and Fauna around krishna river

Krishna river and its basin support diverse flora and fauna

Flora	Fauna
Teak, rosewood, sandalwood, and other tropical hardwoods	Mugger crocodiles, Indian gharials, and other reptiles
Eucalyptus, acacia, and other exotic species	Bengal tigers, leopards, Indian elephants, sloth bears, and other mammals
Various species of aquatic plants and mangroves	Several species of fish and aquatic animals, including the critically endangered Gangetic dolphin

Major Projects on River Krishna

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: This dam on the Krishna River in Telangana is one of the world’s largest masonry dams. This project was finished in 1972. It helps irrigate more than 10 lakh hectares of land and generates hydroelectric power.

Srisailam Dam: This Dam is located on the border of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is one the major dam project which is completed in 1980. It is the second-largest operational hydroelectric station in India.

Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi Project: It is a major irrigation project in the Rayalaseema ,Andhra Pradesh. This project involves the construction of several dams and canals on the tributaries of the River Krishna, including the Handri, Neeva, and Chitravathi rivers, to provide water for agriculture.

Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal: This dam was formed in 1969. This tribunal was set up to settle arguments among Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh regarding the sharing of water from the Krishna River. The tribunal made its decision in 2013, and all three states must adhere to it.

Conclusion

Krishna river plays an important role in sustaining agriculture, industry, and the livelihoods of millions of people. Krishna river holds cultural, historical, and spiritual importance of Indian society. While the river faces challenges such as pollution and overexploitation now a days it is important to protect the preservance of krishna river.

Krishna River – FAQs

What is the length of Krishna River?

The length of Krishna river is around 1,400 kilometers long. It flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

What is the origin of the Krishna River?

The origin of Krishna river is western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.

What are the major tributaries of the Krishna River?

The tributaries of Krishna Riverare Tungabhadra, Bhima, Koyna, Ghataprabha, and Musi rivers, which together contribute to the vast network of the Krishna River basin.

What are the major projects on River Krishna?

The major projects in river krishna is Nagarjuna Sagar Dam ,Srisalai Dam ,Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi Project ,Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal.

Which Tributary River passes through the Telangana?

The tributary river passes through the telangana are Musi river ,Dindi river ,Munneru river ,Paleru river ,Peddavagu river and Bhemma river.