Odisha’s river system is primarily composed of Peninsular rivers that are non-perennial as they are primarily rainfed. These rivers significantly contribute to Odisha’s development by supporting irrigation and hydroelectricity generation. Most rivers in Odisha flow into the Bay of Bengal and are classified based on their origin.
Learning Outcomes:
Identify the key rivers of Odisha and their origins.
Recognize the importance of these rivers for irrigation and power generation.
Understand the natural lakes, artificial reservoirs, waterfalls, and springs in Odisha.
Major River Groups in Odisha
Odisha’s rivers are categorized into six groups based on their source:
Chota Nagpur Plateau: Rivers like the Subarnarekha and Brahmani originate here.
Amarkantak Plateau: The Mahanadi river sources from this plateau.
Mahanadi Delta: This region gives rise to rivers such as Soamoli, Gobari, Prachi, Kadua, Dhanua, Ratnachira, and Nuna.
Keonjhar Plateau: The Baitarani river originates from here.
Eastern Slopes of the Eastern Ghats: Rivers like the Budhabalanga, Rushikulya, and Salandi originate here.
Other Rivers from Eastern Ghats: Includes rivers such as Bahuda, Nagavali, Vamsadhara, and the Godavari system.
Rivers of Chota Nagpur Plateau
Subarnarekha River:
Origin: Southern slopes of Chota Nagpur Plateau, Bihar.
Length: 433 km; 70 km in Odisha.
Catchment Area: 19,500 sq km (3,200 sq km in Odisha).
States: Flows through Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Tributaries: Right bank – Kanchi, Karkari, Kharkai; Left bank – Dulang.
Brahmani River:
Origin: Southern slope of Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Length: 799 km; 480 km in Odisha.
Catchment Area: 39,055 sq km in Odisha.
Notable Feature: Second largest river in Odisha.
Formation: Rivers Sankh (right bank) and Koel (left bank) join to form Brahmani.
Course: Flows through Sundargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, and Cuttack districts; forms a gorge at Rengali.
Tributaries: Right bank – Sankh; Left bank – Birupa, Ramial, Samakoi.
River of Amarkantak Plateau
Mahanadi River:
Origin: Amarkantak hills, Bastar Plateau.
Length: 858 km; 494 km in Odisha.
Catchment Area: 65,580 sq km in Odisha.
Notable: Largest river in Odisha; known as the Sorrow of Odisha due to frequent flooding.
Tributaries: Right bank – Jira, Jhaun, Tel; Left bank – Chhinar, Seonath.
Features: Forms Kathajodi distributary; creates gorge at Satkosia.
Rivers of Mahanadi Delta
The rivers originating from the Mahanadi Delta are its distributaries:
Soamoli River: Starts from Hirapur village; flows into Bay of Bengal.
Gobari River: Also called Gobardhana; originates from Devidola.
Prachi River: Flows from Kuakhai; drains areas between Kandal and Kushabhadra.
Kadua River: Drains interfluves between Prachi and Kushabhadra.
Dhanua River: Small river originating from Balipatna.
Ratnachira River: Starts near Mukundapur and drains into the Bhargavi river.
Nuna River: Originates near Ghoradia hills, drains into the Daya river.
Rivers of Keonjhar Plateau
Baitarani River:
Origin: Gonasika hills in Mayurbhanj.
Length: 365 km.
Catchment Area: 12,190 sq km.
Path: Initially acts as a boundary between Odisha and Jharkhand; changes direction by 90 degrees eastward.
Tributaries: Salandi, Matai, Kangira.
Confluence: Merges with Brahmani before entering the Bay of Bengal.
Rivers of Eastern Slopes of Eastern Ghats
Budhabalanga River:
Origin: Simlipal massif.
Length: 175 km.
Catchment Area: 4,840 sq km.
Tributaries: Sanjo, Deo, Katra.
Rushikulya River:
Origin: Rushimal mountain, Kandhamal.
Length: 165 km.
Catchment Area: 8,963 sq km.
Tributaries: Right bank – Padma, Ghodahada; Left bank – Baghua, Dhanei.
Salandi River:
Origin: Simlipal massif, Keonjhar.
Length: 144 km.
Tributary of the Baitarani river.
Feature: Salandi Dam for irrigation.
Rivers of Eastern Ghats
Bahuda River:
Origin: Singharaj hills, Gajapati.
Length: 96 km; flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Tributaries: Poichandia, Bogiriadi.
Nagavali River:
Origin: Eastern Ghats, Lakhbahal.
Length: 256 km; flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Tributaries: Pitadar, Vegavati.
Vamsadhara River:
Origin: Niyamagiri hills, Kalahandi.
Length: 230 km.
Tributaries: Right bank – Poladi, Left bank – Badanalla.
Godavari System:
Tributaries: Indravati, Kolab, Machkund, Sileru.
Natural and Artificial Lakes in Odisha
Natural Lakes
Ansupa Lake:
Type: Freshwater, horse-shoe shaped.
Location: Cuttack district.
Features: Migratory bird shelter; connected to Mahanadi.