Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about Water Resources of Karnataka from Class 9 Social_Science. In this chapter, we will explore the important rivers of Karnataka, different types of irrigation in our state, the importance of hydro-electric power stations, and the major dams of Karnataka. Rivers are the main source of water. The rivers of Karnataka can be divided into two groups: east flowing rivers and west flowing rivers. Let us know this important fact. River Cauvery has three waterfalls along its course, namely Chunchunkatte, Gagana Chukki, and Bara Chukki, and Hogenakal. It also has three islands, which are Shrirangapattana, Sivanasaumdra, and Shrirangam. [CHECKPOINT]
Do you know this? River Malaprabha joins the Krishna at Kudala-sangama. Kudli is the confluence of Tunga and Bhadra rivers. Hemavathi river joins the Cauvery near K. R. Sagar. Now let us study the east flowing rivers. The Krishna, the Cauvery, the Pennar and Palar rivers flow eastwards and join the Bay of Bengal. The Krishna is the second important river of South India. It takes birth at Mahabaleshwar and flows 1,392 km eastwards to join the Bay of Bengal. But it flows for only 480 km through Karnataka. The Bhima, Koyna, Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha and Malaprabha are its tributaries. Irrigation and hydro-electric power generation from the Krishna river system have benefited Northern Karnataka. [CHECKPOINT]
The Cauvery is the most important river of Karnataka. It is known as Dakshina Ganga. It originates at Talacauvery in Kodagu district and flows 804 km through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu eastwards and joins the Bay of Bengal. It flows for only 380 km in Karnataka. Many tributaries join this river, for example, the Hemavathi, Harangi, Lokapavani, Arkavathi, Shimsha, Lakshmanatirtha, Kapila, Suvarnavati and Bhavani. This river is most useful for agriculture, power generation and drinking water supply. The Pennar and Palar rivers flow through the districts of Kolar, Tumakuru and Bengaluru, and then enter Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. North Pennar and South Pennar are two separate rivers. Do you know this? River Pennar is also known as pinakini. Southern Pennar is known as Ponnaiyar in Tamil Nadu. [CHECKPOINT]
Next, we move to the west flowing rivers. Many rivers rise in Malnad, flow westwards and join the Arabian Sea, for example, the Sharavathi, Kali, Gangavali which is also called Bedti, Netravathi, Varahi, and Aghanashini. They flow down steep slopes and create waterfalls. They also help to produce hydro-electric power. Jog Falls on Sharavati river is world-famous. It is the highest waterfall in India at 253 mtrs. The other important waterfalls are Gokak on Ghataprabha, Bandaje on Netravathi, Unchalli on Aghanashini, Chaya Bhagavati on Don river, Chunchunkatte, Shimsha, Gaganachukki, Bharachukki on Cauvery, and Magodu waterfall on Bedthi river. [CHECKPOINT]
Do you know this? Karnataka is home to several large historical tanks. These include Mudagadakere in Kadur, Tonnur kere in Pandavapura, Hyrige in Hunsur, Ramasamudra kere in Chikkaballapura, Byrasagara kere in Gudibande, Kallambella kere in Sira, and Byramangala kere in Bidadi. Now let us understand irrigation in Karnataka. The artificial supply of water for agriculture is called irrigation. It is essential for the development of agriculture in places where the distribution of rainfall is uneven and irregular. It has been an ancient practice in Karnataka to carry on farming through different sources of irrigation. The main sources of irrigation are wells, canals and tanks. In early days wells were dug in villages for the purpose of irrigation. Later, the practice of constructing canals to supply water from rivers for farming was started. Big tanks can be seen even now. For example, Shantisagar in Davanagere district. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us look at the distribution of irrigation sources by area. According to the data, tube wells account for 56.55 percent, canal irrigation covers 21.02 percent, other sources make up 12.50 percent, wells contribute 7.86 percent, and tank irrigation covers 2.07 percent. Do you know this? The first large dam in Karnataka was constructed at Vanivilas Sagar near Hiriyuru of Chitradurga District in 1907. This was known as Marikanive plan. The wells dug in Kalaburagi district during the 11th century, the Tungabhadra canals of the time of Vijayanagar empire, Vanivilasagar and the Krishnarajasagar dam constructed by the Mysuru kings are milestones in the development of the irrigation in Karnataka. [CHECKPOINT]
At present, both river water and underground water are used for irrigation. Nearly 41% of the cultivable land is under irrigation facility in Karnataka. Karnataka occupies the 9th position in India with regard to irrigation. Raichur district has the largest area under canal irrigation in the state. Tank irrigation is maximum in Shivamogga district, whereas Belagavi district has the maximum well irrigation facilities. In recent times, the number of tube wells has increased. When the land under irrigation is taken into consideration, Belagavi district occupies the first position. In contrast Kodagu district occupies the last position. The main canal irrigation projects of the state are Krishnarajasagar, Tungabhadra, Hemavati, Kabini, Harangi, Vanivilas Sagar also known as Marikanive, Upper Krishna, Almatti, Narayanapura, Malaprabha, Karanja, Bennetore, Hipparagi Barrage, and Bhadra projects. [CHECKPOINT]
Now let us discuss hydro-electric power. The credit for successful generation of hydro-electric power for the first time in India goes to Karnataka. Coal or petroleum are not available in our state. But there is a great opportunity for the generation of hydel power. There are rivers which can provide sufficient power for the whole state. Rivers flowing towards the west are most suitable for power generation than the rivers flowing towards the east. The first hydro-electric power station in Karnataka was established at Shivanasamudra in 1902 to supply power to the Kolar gold mines. This project was constructed across river Cauvery. At a short distance away from it the second hydro power station was established in 1940 at Shimsha by using the water of river Cauvery. This is called as Shimsha hydro-electric power project. [CHECKPOINT]
The Mahatma Gandhi hydro-electric power station was established in 1947 near Jog Falls on Sharavathi river to fulfil the increased demand for hydro electric power. Later, many more hydel projects were developed under the Five Year Plans. As a result of these developments, Karnataka ranks first in the generation of hydro-electric power in India. These hydro-electric power projects are broadly classified into Working Projects and Proposed Projects. The main projects of Karnataka include Shivanasamudra and Shimsha on Cauvery river, Sharavathi, Linganamakki, Gerusoppa and Mahatma Gandhi hydro power station on Sharavathi river, Supa, Nagajhari, Kadra and Kodasalli on Kali river, Varahi on Varahi river, Marikanive on Vedavathi river, Bhadra on Bhadra river, Tungabhadra on Tungabhadra river, Ghataprabha on Ghataprabha river, and Alamatti on Krishna river. [CHECKPOINT]
Now let us look at the exercises to reinforce your learning. I will read each question and provide the complete answer. Exercise One. Fill in the blanks with suitable words. Question one. The Cauvery river takes its birth at Talacauvery of Kodagu district. Question two. The famous Jog Falls is produced by the Sharavathi river. Question three. The District in Karnataka with maximum Canal irrigation is Raichur. Question four. The first hydro-electric power generating station in Karnataka is Shivanasamudra. Question five. The Almatti dam has been constructed across Krishna river. [CHECKPOINT]
Exercise Two. Answer the following questions in brief. Question six. Name the important rivers of Karnataka. Answer. The important rivers of Karnataka are the Krishna, the Cauvery, the Pennar, the Palar, the Sharavathi, the Kali, the Gangavali or Bedti, the Netravathi, the Varahi, and the Aghanashini. Question seven. Write a short note on river Krishna. Answer. The Krishna is the second important river of South India. It takes birth at Mahabaleshwar and flows 1,392 km eastwards to join the Bay of Bengal, but flows for only 480 km through Karnataka. Its tributaries are the Bhima, Koyna, Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha and Malaprabha. It benefits Northern Karnataka through irrigation and hydro-electric power generation. [CHECKPOINT]
Question eight. What are the tributaries of Cauvery river. Answer. The tributaries of the Cauvery river are the Hemavathi, Harangi, Lokapavani, Arkavathi, Shimsha, Lakshmanatirtha, Kapila, Suvarnavati and Bhavani. Question nine. Name the different sources of irrigation in Karnataka. Answer. The different sources of irrigation in Karnataka are wells, canals, tanks, and tube wells. Question ten. Mention the main hydro-electric power stations of our state. Answer. The main hydro-electric power stations are Shivanasamudra, Shimsha, Sharavathi, Linganamakki, Gerusoppa, Mahatma Gandhi hydro power station, Supa, Nagajhari, Kadra, Kodasalli, Varahi, Marikanive, Bhadra, Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, and Alamatti. [CHECKPOINT]
Exercise Three. Match the following. I will provide the correct matches. One. Linganamakki dam matches with Sharavathi River. Two. Gaganachukki, Bharachukki matches with Cauvery River. Three. Vani Vilas Sagar matches with Marikanive. Four. Gokak falls matches with Ghata Prabha River. Five. Magodu falls matches with Bedthi River. Exercise Four. Activity. Make a list of the rivers in Karnataka and their tributaries. Here is the complete list for your activity. East flowing rivers: Krishna with tributaries Bhima, Koyna, Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha. Cauvery with tributaries Hemavathi, Harangi, Lokapavani, Arkavathi, Shimsha, Lakshmanatirtha, Kapila, Suvarnavati, Bhavani. Pennar and Palar flow separately. West flowing rivers: Sharavathi, Kali, Gangavali, Netravathi, Varahi, Aghanashini. [CHECKPOINT]
Exercise Five. Project. Mark the dams of Karnataka on a map and name them. Visit any tank, canal, stream or river, coast which are near your dwelling and write about their important features. Rivers bring harmony between the states, discuss how. Rivers like Krishna, Cauvery, and Pennar flow through multiple states. They require cooperative water sharing agreements, joint management of dams, and mutual respect for agricultural needs. This interdependence fosters dialogue, legal frameworks, and regional cooperation, bringing harmony between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]