Rivers play a crucial role in Uttar Pradesh, especially because it is an agricultural state. They provide water for farming, contribute to the economy, and shape the land. The drainage system of a region, which includes all the rivers and streams, is influenced by the land’s shape, the slopes, the types of rocks, and the amount of water available.
Overview of Rivers in Uttar Pradesh
Most rivers in Uttar Pradesh flow from the North-West to the South-East because the northern and western parts of the state are at a higher elevation. The rivers usually follow a parallel drainage pattern, especially in the plains.
Uttar Pradesh has several major rivers, including the Ganga, Yamuna, Gomati, and Chambal. There are also many smaller rivers and streams that drain the state. In addition to rivers, Uttar Pradesh is home to some important lakes such as Radha Kund, Fulhar Lake, Barua Sagar, Moti Lake, and Chittaura Lake.
Types of Rivers Based on Their Source
The rivers of Uttar Pradesh can be divided into three groups based on where they originate:
- Rivers Emerging from the Himalayan Mountains:
- These are perennial rivers, meaning they have water throughout the year.
- Examples: Ganga, Yamuna, Gandak, Kali (Sharda), Ramganga, Saryu (Ghaghra or Karnali), Kosi, Rohini, Hindon, Rapti.
- Rivers Emerging from the Gangetic Plains:
- These rivers may have less water in the summer, but they never dry up completely.
- Examples: Gomati, Varuna, Isan.
- Rivers Emerging from the Southern Plateau Region:
- These rivers can dry up in the summer because their water levels drop very low.
- Examples: Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Son, Rihand, Kanhar, Tons.
The Ganga River
The Ganga is the most important and sacred river in Uttar Pradesh. Let’s take a closer look at this mighty river:
- Origin: The Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier at Gaumukh (3,900 meters) in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. At its origin, it is known as the Bhagirathi.
- Names: The Ganga is also called by other names like Hooghly in West Bengal and Padma in Bangladesh.
- Length: The Ganga is 2,525 km long, with 1,000 km of it flowing through Uttar Pradesh. It is the longest river in the state.
- Headwaters: The Ganga has six headwaters, which are tributary streams. These include:
- Alaknanda
- Dhauliganga
- Nandakini
- Pindar
- Mandakini
- Bhagirathi
- Panch Prayag: The Ganga has five important confluences, known as Panch Prayag, where it meets other rivers:
- Vishnu Prayag: Where the Dhauliganga meets the Alaknanda.
- Nand Prayag: Where the Nandakini meets the Alaknanda.
- Karna Prayag: Where the Pindar meets the Alaknanda.
- Rudra Prayag: Where the Mandakini meets the Alaknanda.
- Dev Prayag: Where the Bhagirathi joins the Alaknanda to form the Ganga.
- Entry into the Plains: After flowing through the Shivalik range, the Ganga emerges from the mountains at Rishikesh and enters the Gangetic plains at Haridwar. It then enters Uttar Pradesh through the Bijnor district.
- Flow Direction: In the plains, the Ganga flows from South to South-East.
- Confluences in Uttar Pradesh:
- Kannauj: The Ganga meets the Ramganga.
- Prayagraj: The Ganga meets the Yamuna and the ancient Saraswati.
- Tributaries:
- From the North: Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Rapti, Kosi, Gandak.
- From the South: Yamuna, Son, Tons, Karmanasha, Chandraprabha.
- Journey through Uttar Pradesh: The Ganga flows through 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh before entering Bihar.
- Districts: Some key districts the Ganga flows through in Uttar Pradesh include:
- Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Meerut, Amroha, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ballia.
- National Waterway-I: The Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system is part of National Waterway-I, which runs from Haldia to Prayagraj (1,620 km), making it the longest waterway in India.
- Famous Cities:
- Right Bank: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Kanpur.
- Left Bank: Varanasi.
- National River: The Central Government has declared the Ganga as the National River of India.
Meeting Points of Ganga and Other Rivers
| Main River | Merging River | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Vishnu Ganga | Dhauli | Vishnu Prayag |
| Alaknanda | Dhauli and Vishnu Ganga | Vishnu Prayag |
| Alaknanda | Pindar | Karna Prayag |
| Alaknanda | Mandakini | Rudra Prayag |
| Alaknanda | Nandakini | Nand Prayag |
| Bhagirathi (Ganga) | Alaknanda | Dev Prayag |
| Ganges | Ramganga | Kannauj |
| Ganges | Yamuna | Prayagraj |
| Ganges | Tons | Near Sirsa |
| Ganges | Gomati | Kaithi (Ghazipur) |
| Ganges | Ghagra | Near Chapra |
| Ganges | Gandak | Hajipur (Vaishali) |
| Ganges | Son | Kadgola Katihar |
| Ganges | Kosi | Katihar |
| Ganges | Brahmaputra | Near Goalanda |
| Ganges | Varuna | Varanasi |
| Ganges | Tamsa | Ballia |
| Ganges | Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati | Prayagraj |
Tributaries of the Ganga
Yamuna River
- Origin: The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri glacier on the Western slopes of Bandarpunch in Uttarakhand.
- Length: It is 1,376 km long and is the largest tributary of the Ganga by water volume.
- Significance: Known by names like Kalindi, Gambhir, and Suryaputri. It is also home to important landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
- Tributaries:
- Right Bank: Chambal, Betwa, Sindh, Ken.
- Left Bank: Hindon.
Ramganga River
- Origin: It originates from the Southern part of the Kumaun Himalayan range.
- Length: 596 km, flowing through central Uttar Pradesh.
- Significance: It flows through important cities like Moradabad, Bareilly, and Shahjahanpur.
- Tributaries: Koh river, Jakula Sarayu, Mandul, Palain, Sona.
Gandak River
- Origin: Formed by the Kali Gandak and Trishulganga rivers in the Nepal Himalayas.
- Length: 425 km.
- Significance: Known as Shaligrami in Nepal and Narayani in the plains.
- Merges with Ganga: Near Hajipur after flowing through Maharajganj and Kushinagar districts.
Rivers Emerging from the Gangetic Plains
Gomati River
- Origin: From Gomat Taal near Madho Tanda in Pilibhit.
- Length: 900 km.
- Significance: It passes through important districts like Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, and Jaunpur before merging with the Ganga at Kaithi near Ghazipur.
- Tributaries: Sai river, Suketa, Choha, and Andhra Choha.
Varuna River
- Origin: Near Bhadohi, flowing towards East to South-East.
- Length: 100 km.
- Significance: Merges with the Ganga at Varanasi and is named after the Hindu god Varuna.
READ MORE | Geographical Features of Uttar Pradesh
Rivers Emerging from the Southern Plateau Region
Chambal River
- Origin: From the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh.
- Length: 960 km.
- Significance: It is famous for its deep ravines and is a major tributary of the Yamuna.
READ | Geographical Features of Uttar Pradesh
Important Facts to Remember
Gomati River has been declared a ‘Biological Disaster’ due to pollution.
The Ganga River is the longest river in Uttar Pradesh, flowing through 28 districts.
Yamuna is the largest tributary of the Ganga by water volume.
Rivers Emerging from the Southern Plateau Region
Chambal River
- Origin: The Chambal River starts from the Janapav hill near Mhow in Indore district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Unique Feature: It is famous for its badland topography, known as the Chambal ravines.
- Flow Path: The river flows north to northeast through Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It also forms the border between Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Confluence: The Chambal meets the Yamuna River at Panchnada near Muradganj in Auraiya district, Uttar Pradesh.
- Dams: Important dams on this river include Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, and Kota Barrage.
- Tributaries:
- Left Side: Banas and Mej rivers.
- Right Side: Parbati, Kali, Sindh, and Shipra rivers.
Betwa River
- Origin: The Betwa River, also known as Vetravati, starts from the Vindhyan range at Kra village in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Flow Path: It flows through Lalitpur, Jhansi, Auraiya, and Jalaun districts before merging with the Yamuna River in Hamirpur district. The river is 590 km long.
- Dams:
- Matatila Dam: A joint project between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, constructed on the Betwa River.
- Parichha Dam: Built near Jhansi on the Betwa River.
Ken River
- Origin: The Ken River, also known as Karnavati, originates from the northern slopes of the Kaimur hills. It is 427 km long.
- Flow Path: The river flows through the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and enters Uttar Pradesh at Banda, where it meets the Yamuna River at Bhojha.
- Tributaries: The important tributaries of the Ken River include Bawas, Dewar, Kaith, Baink, and Bearma rivers.
Ken-Betwa River Link Project:
This project, started with an agreement on August 25, 2005, aims to link the Ken and Betwa rivers. A dam will be constructed on the Ken River, and water will be diverted to the Betwa River through a 231 km canal. The project will generate approximately 72 MW of hydropower and is a joint venture between the Central Government and the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Son River
- Origin: The Son River, also known as the Gold River, originates from Sheshakund near the source of the Narmada River in the Amarkantak ranges of Madhya Pradesh.
- Flow Path: After flowing through Madhya Pradesh, it enters Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh, then flows into Bihar and finally joins the Ganga River near Patna. The river’s total length is 784 km.
- Tributaries: Major tributaries include Ghaghara, Johilla, Rihand, Kunhar, and North Koel rivers.
- Dam: The Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar (Rihand Dam) is located partly in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, and partly in Madhya Pradesh.
Kanhar River
- Origin: The Kanhar River originates from Gidha-Dhodha on the Khudia plateau in Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh.
- Flow Path: It flows through Garhwa district in Jharkhand and Surguja district in Chhattisgarh before entering Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh, where it eventually joins the Son River northeast of the village of Kota.
- Tributaries: Important tributaries include Lanva, Pandu, Goita, Suria, and Chana rivers.
Sindh River
- Origin: The Sindh River originates from the Malwa Plateau in Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh. It has a total length of 416 km.
- Confluence: The Sindh River meets the Yamuna River at Jagmanpur in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh.
- Tributaries: The main tributaries are the Pahuj, Kwari, Mahuar, and Parbati rivers.
Rihand River
- Origin: The Rihand River, also known as Renu or Renuka, originates from the Matiranga hills in the Mainpat plateau of Chhattisgarh.
- Flow Path: It flows through the central part of Surguja district in Chhattisgarh, enters Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh via Singrauli district in Madhya Pradesh, and finally joins the Son River.
- Dam: The Rihand Dam was constructed in 1962 across the Rihand River near Pipri in Sonbhadra district for hydropower generation.
Tons (Tamsa) River
- Origin: The Tons River originates from Tamsakund in the Kaimur range near Maihar.
- Flow Path: The river flows into Uttar Pradesh and meets the Ganga River at Sirsa near Prayagraj. Its total length is 150 km.
- Tributary: The Belan River is an important tributary of the Tons River.
- Waterfalls: The Tons River forms several waterfalls at the edge of the Purwa plateau, including Chachai Falls (127 m), Purwa Falls (70 m), Keoti Falls (98 m), and Odda Falls (145 m).
Cities on the Banks of Rivers in Uttar Pradesh
Here is a table of cities in Uttar Pradesh located on the banks of major rivers:
| River | Cities |
|---|---|
| Ganga | Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mirzapur |
| Yamuna | Mathura, Agra, Etawah, Kalpi, Hamirpur |
| Gomati | Lucknow, Jaunpur, Sultanpur |
| Saryu | Ayodhya, Gola, Bardhalganj |
| Rapti | Gorakhpur, Basti, Gonda |
| Ramganga | Moradabad, Bareilly, Budaun, Hardoi, Bijnor |
READ MORE |AGRICULTURE OF UTTAR PRADESH
Lakes of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has a few significant lakes, formed by various geographical processes such as river meandering, water-logging in low-lying areas, and tectonic activities. Here’s a list of some important lakes:
| Lake Name | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Barua Sagar Lake | Jhansi | Largest lake in Uttar Pradesh; 260 years old, constructed by Raja Udit Singh |
| Belasagar Lake | Belatal village, Mahoba | Constructed in memory of King Parikshit’s wife Bela |
| Keetham Lake | Agra | Also known as Sur Sarovar, located within Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary |
| Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar | Sonbhadra | Largest man-made lake, also known as Rihand Dam |
| Ramgarh Tal | Gorakhpur | Natural lake within Rapti River floodplain, significant water depth reduction over the years |
| Radhakund Lake | Mathura | Sacred lake associated with Lord Krishna, significant pilgrimage site |
| Manasi Ganga | Govardhan, Mathura | Small natural lake, considered sacred; pilgrims take holy dips here |
Important Points to Remember:
The Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar (Rihand Dam) is not just a major water body but also a crucial site for power generation.
The Ken-Betwa River Link Project is significant for both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, aiming to solve water scarcity in the region.
FAQs
Question 1: On the basis of the source of origin, the rivers of Uttar Pradesh are divided into how many groups?
ANSWER: Three Groups
Question 2: Which of the following rivers does not originate from the Himalayan range?
ANSWER: Gomati
Question 3: At which place does the Ganga enter Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Bijnor
Question 4: Which of the following is the right bank tributary of the Ganga?
ANSWER: Son
Question 5: Which of the following cities of Uttar Pradesh is not situated on the bank of river Ganga?
ANSWER: Lucknow
Question 6: Which of the following cities is not situated on the right bank of Ganga?
ANSWER: Varanasi
Question 7: Yamunotri glacier is situated in which mountain range?
ANSWER: Lower Himalayas
Question 8: Triveni Sangam is the confluence of which rivers?
ANSWER: Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati
Question 9: Which of the following is not correct regarding river Ramganga?
ANSWER: The river joins the Ganga near Chapra
Question 10: Where is the confluence of Gandak and Ganga rivers?
ANSWER: Hajipur
Question 11: Sharda river rises at which glacier?
ANSWER: Milam glacier
Question 12: Which river merges with Karnali river at Bahram Ghat and becomes Ghaghara river?
ANSWER: Sharda
Question 13: Shikhtila, Rapti, and Chhoti Gandak are the tributaries of which river?
ANSWER: Ghaghara
Question 14: Which of the following rivers is entirely rainfed?
ANSWER: Hindon
Question 15: Which river crosses Rukumkot?
ANSWER: Rapti
Question 16: Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh is situated on the bank of which river?
ANSWER: Rapti
Question 17: Which statement is not true regarding Saryu river?
ANSWER: The river came into existence when Ghaghara and Mahakali met.
Question 18: Where does Gomati meet the river Ganga?
ANSWER: Ghazipur
Question 19: Which of the following rivers of Uttar Pradesh has been declared as a ‘Biological Disaster’ due to Environmental Pollution?
ANSWER: Gomati
Question 20: Varuna is a tributary river of which river?
ANSWER: Ganga
Question 21: Which of the following rivers forms ravines?
ANSWER: Chambal
Question 22: Chambal river meets Yamuna in which district?
ANSWER: Auraiya district
Question 23: Which river originates near Raisen district?
ANSWER: Betwa
Question 24: Parichha dam is situated on which river?
ANSWER: Betwa
Question 25: Which river flows through Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Son
Question 26: Which reservoir is partly in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh?
ANSWER: Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar
Question 27: Which river is known as Tamsa?
ANSWER: Tons
Question 28: Gambhir river originates from which state?
ANSWER: Rajasthan
Question 29: Ayodhya city is situated on the bank of which river?
ANSWER: Saryu
Question 30: Which is the largest lake in the state?
ANSWER: Barua Sugar
Question 31: Is the Kanhar river a tributary of the Son river and where does it originate?
ANSWER: Only I – The Kanhar river is a tributary of the Son river.
Question 32: Is Yamuna the longest tributary river of the Ganga, and is Ghaghara the largest?
ANSWER: Both I and II
Question 33: Match the following:
Sindh – Nainawas
Ken – Tamaskund
Tons – Kaimur range
Chambal – Janpava hill
Question 34: Match the following:
Gomati – Sai
Tons – Belan
Ayodhya – Kanhar
Chitrakoot – Parbati
Question 35: Which is not correctly matched with the respective river?
ANSWER: Ghazipur – Ramganga
Question 36: Which is not correctly matched with the respective river?
ANSWER: Jaunpur – Sai
Question 37: Match the following:
Mathura – Yamuna
Jaunpur – Gomati
Ayodhya – Saryu
Chitrakoot – Mandakini
Question 38: Match the following lakes with their places:
Badataal – Shahjahanpur
Darwan Taal – Ambedkar Nagar
Barua Sagar Taal – Jhansi
Chittaura Jheel – Bahraich
Question 39: Match the following lakes with their places:
Beti – Pratapgarh
Etauja – Lucknow
Fulhar – Pilibhit
Keetham – Agra
