Important Rivers and Lakes for JKSSB Exams

Rivers Of Jammu Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with huge water resources. It is a home of many rivers which originate from Himalayan ranges and then flow through the state. These rivers can be divided into two main categories viz Rivers of Kashmir Region and Rivers of Jammu Region.

Rivers Of Jammu Region Of Jammu Kashmir for JKSSB

Chenab

• The older/ancient name of the Chenab river is Asikni.
• It originates from Baralacha La pass in Lahaul and Spiti region of the of Himachal Pradesh.
• It has two head streams namely, the Chandra and Bhaga and hence Chenab is also known as Chandrabhaga.
• Total length of Chenab is about 960 km long and in Jammu Kahmir It covers the length of 504 km.
• It drains the Eastern section of the Southern slope of Pir Panjal.
• It enters into Jammu and Kashmir near Paddar (very famous for Sapphire reserves in J&K) at Kishtwar and flows through Doda, Ramban, Reasi and Akhnoor districts.
• It leaves Jammu and Kashmir at Akhnoor district and enters Sialkot district of Pakistan and ultimately joins Indus. It is hence a tributary of Indus.
• Important Hydro electric power projects on Chenab are Salal, Dalhasti, Rattle , Sawalkot, and Baghilar. It can be remembered as SBRDS.

Marsudar River

• Its origin is in Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh.
• It is formed by two head streams Batkot and Gumbar which merge to form Warwan river.
• Warwan river is known as the Marusudar in lower regions.
• The Marusudar river is oriented almost in the North to South direction and its catchment area is more or less fan shaped.
• Important hydro electric power project on Marsudar river is Pakal Dul power project (1000MW) in Kishtwar district.

Tawi River

• This river originates from Kailash Kund glacier located in Bhadarwah of Doda district ( Jammu).
• It flows through the Chenani town of Udhampur and Jammu and then joins the Chenab river in Sialkot district of Pakistan.
• It is a left bank tributary of Chenab.
• Jammu city and Amar Mahal are located on its banks.
• Important hydro electric power projects on Tavi river is Chenani hydro power plant.

Ravi River

• The ancient names of Ravi river are Iravati and Parusni.
• It rises from Himalayas at Bara Bhangal near Rohtang pass in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Its source is very close to the source of Beas River.
• Its total length is about 725 km long.
• The river passes through two important mountain ranges namely, Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar (part of middle Himalayas) on its South and North, respectively.
• In Punjab, it runs along the Indo-Pak border.
• Important tributaries of Ravi river are Budhil, Naior Dhona, Seul and Siawa.

Ujh River

1. It rises from Domal structure of Seojdhar range in Middle Himalayas and runs for 65 km in the UT.
2. Its important tributaries are Naaz and Bhini Nala and it is itself a tributary of Ravi River.
3. Ujh multipurpose project in Kathua district is on this river. This Project is expected to fast track utilization of India’s rights under Indus Waters Treaty.

Rivers Of Kashmir Region Of Jammu Kashmir for JKSSB

Jehlum River

• The ancient name of Jhelum river is Vitasta in Sanskrit.
• It is also known as Hydaspes in Greek and Behat in Persian.
• Battle of Hydaspes between Alexander and Porus was fought on its banks.
• It is the main waterway in the Kashmir valley where it is also known as Vyath.
• It rises from a spring in Verinag area of Anantnag district and covers a length of 725 km (177km in Kashmir).
• Srinagar is situated on its banks and it is known as life line of Srinagar and Life line of Kashmir.
• It is navigable between Khanabal and Baramulla, below which its flow becomes turbulent.
• The region between Jehlum and Chenab is called JeCh Doab. (Je from Jehlum and Ch from Chenab, and Doab means two waters/rivers).
• It feeds Wullar lake, the largest fresh water lake of Jammu KAshmir.
• Important hydel power projects located on this river are Ganderbal, Lower Jhelum, Upper Sindh, Uri-I and Kishanganga, etc.
• Mangla Dam, which is one of the world’s largest earth-fill dams is on this river.
• It has about 24 tributaries. Sindh, Erin, Madhumati, Ramsho, Sandran, Lidder, Pohru, Vishow, Rambaira, and Kishanganga etc are important tributaries of Jehlum.
• Jhelum River receives the Kishanganga River at Muzaffarabad. Kishanganga is also known as Neelum river.
• It is a tributary of Chenab, which is itself a tributary of Indus.

Lidder River

• It flows through the world famous tourist site Pahalgam.
• This river originates from the Kolahoi glacier in the North-Western Himalayan range near Sonamarg about 26 km North from Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
• It flows through the Lidderwatt meadow in Aru region, and hence the name Lidder.
• It is the second major tributary of river Jhelum and meets it in North of Anantnag town.
• In Pahalgam, it is met by another stream called Lidder East originating from Sheshnag Lake.

Lakes of Jammu Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with a lot of lakes. They are discussed below.

Wular Lake

• The ancient name of Wular Lake Mahapadmasar.
• Largest freshwater lake in India.
• it is an oxbow lake.
• has an island called Zaina Lank, made by Sultan Zain-Ul-Abideen.
• It is considered as relic of Satisar Lake of Pre Historic.
• Formed as a result of tectonic activity.
• Lies between Bandipore and Sopore at a distance of 75 km from Srinagar.
• Length= 16 km and Breadth= 9.6 km.
• Wular Lake was declared as Ramsar Site in 23 March, 1900.
• Wular lake accounts for about 60% of the total fish production in J&K.
• Deepest part of the Lake is at Watlab towards the hill called Baba Sukhuruddin in the north-west.
• Jehlum river makes its delta into this Lake.
• Many small streams like Harbuji, Arrah, Erin, Pohru and Bandipur flow into this lake.

Dal Lake

• It is also known as “Lake of Flowers”, “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
• It has been described as “Lake par-excellence” by Sir Walter Lawerence.
• It is also called as “Sweet water Lake”.
• 2nd largest Lake of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Length= 8 km and Width= 6.4 km.
• Two small artificial islands called as Lank, built by Mughals within the Lake are: Rup Lanka
  (Silver Lanka also called Char Chinari) and Sona Lank (Golden Lanka)
• Dal Lake is divided into 4 parts: Gagribal, Lokut-Dal, Boud-Dal and Nigeen.
• The road around the Dal Lake is called as Boulevard road.
• The famous Mughal Gardens like Nishat and Shalimar are situated around it.
• it has a lot of floating vegetable gardens.
• it is famous for Shikara ride.
• World famous Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is situated on its banks.
• Kashmir University and Dargah Hazratbal Shrine are situated on its Northern bank.
• Pari Mahal overlooks this lake.

Nigeen Lake

• It is known as “Nageena” which means “ Jewel in the Ring”.
• The Lake is located adjacent to the Hari Parbat hillock at a small distance to the west of
  the Dal Lake.
• Connected with Dal lake by a small water channel.
• connected to the Khushal Sar and Gil Sar lakes via a channel known as Nallah Amir Khan
• Length = 2.7 km, Width = 0.82 km
• Badam Wari Garden of Srinagar is situated on one of its banks.

Anchar Lake

• Anchar Lake is a large marshy tract or swampy are in the North-West of Srinagar.
• The Lake has no source of its own. It came into existence due to the overflow of the
  waters of river Sind and Dal-Lake.
• The Sind Nallah enters this Lake from one side and flows out form another side.
• triangular in shape with it s length = 8km and Width = 3km.
• Ganderbal is a famous township on its North-West bank.

Manasbal Lake

• It is also called as, “Supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes”.
• lies in Ganderbal district.
• Length = 5km, Width = 1km
• It is the deepest lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Lake has no major inlet channels and is thus fed mainly by precipitation and springs.
• The Mughal Garden, called the Jaroka Bagh, built by Nur Jahan overlooks the Lake.
• Rootstocks of Lotus are grown extensively in this lake.
• The Lake is chiefly known for deep clear water and lotus.

Mansar Lake

• It is situated at a distance of 55km to the East of Jammu in the Shiwalik Range.
• Length = 1.6kms, Width = 0.80kms
• Famous Sheshnag Shrine is situated on its eastern bank.
• Two ancient temples of Umapati Mahadev and Narsiha are situated in the vicinity of the Mansar Lake.
• It is considered holy by the Hindu fraternity.
• History of Mansar is of the time of Mahabharta.
• Declared as a Ramsar Site on 8 November, 2005.

Surinsar Lake

• Old name “Surang Sar”.
• The origin of this lake is associated with the warrior of Mahabharta, Arjun.
• Declared as a Ramsar site on 8 November, 2005.

Hokersar Lake

• Hokersar is a Ramsar site or wetland conservation area in Zainakote area of Srinagar on Srinagar-Baramulla road.
• 5km length, 1.5 km width, area 1375 hectares.
• Hokersar is the largest bird reserve in the Kashmir Valley.
• It was first designated as a conservation reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978.
• Declared as Ramsar Site on 8 November,2005.
• It is fed by two perennial inlet streams: Doodhganga from the East and Sukhnag from the West.
• Willow trees are grown in abundance around its banks.

Kausar Nag

• It is also called as “Vishno Pad”.
• Situated in Kulgam district.
• It is a high altitude lake, situated in the Pir Panjal range.
• Length = 5kms, Width = 3kms
• It is the source of the famous ‘Aharbal Waterfall’ also called as, “The Niagara Falls of
  Kashmir”.
• It is the source of “Vishav Nallah”.

Tarsar Lake

• It is an almond shaped, oligotrophic alpine lake situated on the northern slope of Harmukh mountain in Tral valley of Pulwama district.
• Marsar and Tarsar Lakes are referred to as the “Twin Sisters”.
• It is drained by an outlet stream which falls into Lidder River at Lidderwat.

Marsar Lake

• oligotrophic alpine lake located in Tral valley of Pulwama district.
• It is separated from Tarsar Lake by a mountain.
• A stream emerges from this Lake, which travels through the Dachigam valley and enters Srinagar near Harwan garden.

Harwan Lake

• It is situated at a distance of 21km from Srinagar.
• This lake is 278m long, 137m wide and 18m deep.
• It is the source of water supply to the Srinagar city
• It gets water from the run off of Marsar Lake.

Gangabal Lake

• It is also called as Haramukh ganga.
• The Gangbal Lake is a high altitude lake situated atop the peak of Harmukh Mountain.
• situated in Ganderbal district.
• This Lake is considered sacred in Hinduism, and as one of the home of Lord Shiva.
• Kashmiri Hindus perform annual pilgrimage called ‘Harmukh-Gangabal Yatra’.
• Length = 2.7kms and Width = 1 km
• The water of this Lake outflows to a nearby Nundkol Lake and then via Wangath Nallah to Sindh River.
• Gangabal has been mentioned in Hindu texts like Nilamata Purana as well as Rajatarangini.

Neelnag Lake

• It is also called as Nilnag Lake due to its clear-blue water. Nil means blue and Nag means Lake.
• It is 4kms away from Yousmarg in Budgam district.