RIVERS

Baitarani River

The Baitarani River is one of six major rivers of Odisha, India. It originates from the Gonasika/Guptaganga hills of the Kendujhar district. Afterwards for about half a kilometre the river flows underground and is not visible from outside. The Baitarani is known here by the name Guptaganga or the Gupta Baitarani, in Gonasika of Keonjhar district. It is 365 km long and its catchment area spread over 12,790 sq.kms. It leads into the Bay of Bengal after merging of the Brahmani at Dhamara mouth near Chandbali. The river has 65 tributaries, of which 35 join from the left side and 30 join from the right side. The main tributaries are Kangira, Ardei, Khairi, Bhandan, Deo, Kanjhari, Sita, Musal, Kusei and Salandi River.

Bahuda River

It originates from the Ramgiri hills of the Eastern Ghats in Gajapati district and joins the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh. Its length 73 kms. having a catchment area of 1250 kms. The prominent tributaries are Poichandia, Bogiriadi, Batrada Nalla and Kantajura Nalla.

Bhargavi River

Bhargavi River originates from Bharga. Bhargabi river is a branch of the Kuakhai River meets the Bay of Bengal. The length of the river is 1,465 km. Bhargavi river flows across Khurda district of Orissa. There are four main branches all taking off from the left bank.viz. Kanchi, the east Kania, the Naya nadi and the South kanchi.

Bhede River

The Bhede River is a tributary of the Telen River.

Brahmani River

It is the second largest river in Odisha. It originates as two major rivers like the Sankh and the Koel from the Chota Nagpur Plateau of Bihar and both join at Veda Vyasa near Rourkela of Sundargarh district of Odisha forming the major River Brahmani. It has a catchment area of about 39,033 square kilometres and about 480 kilometres (300 mi) long. It flows through the Eastern Ghats in Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Jajapur districts into the coastal plains and enters the Bay Of Bengal along with a combined mouth with the river Mahanadi at DHAMARA.

Budhabalanga River

It originates from the easterns slops of the Similipal massif. It has a total catchment area of 4,840 sq.kms and about 175 kms. long. The Budhabalanga River flows through the districts of Mayurbhanj and Balasore of Odisha.This Budhabalanga refers to the old Balanga rises in Similipal hills alongwith that it gets plunged via Brehipani hills. This is the second highest waterfall of India and it has been situated at National Simlipal Park. The major tributaries are Palapala, Sunei, Kalo, Deo, Gangahari and Katra.

Chitroptala river

Chitrotpala river is a sub-river of the Mahanadi. The river is originated from Mahanadi near Guali of Cuttack district. Chitroptala flows eastward approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) and near Paradeep it joins with its tributary river Luna. It merges into the Bay of Bengal near Paradeep.

Daya River

The Daya River starts as a branch of the Kuakhai River at Saradeipur (near Badahati) in Odisha. Along the bank of this river, the famous "Kalinga War" had taken place in 2nd Century BC, i.e around 2200 years back. It is joined by the Malaguni River below Golabai and flows through Khordha and Puri districts before emptying into the north-eastern corner of Chilika Lake, 37 kilometres from its origin.

Devi River

Devi river is one of the principal distributaries of Mahanadhi. It flows through Jagatsinghpur district and Puri district across Odisha state in India and joins Bay of Bengal.

Dhamra River

Dhamra is a joint stream in Odisha that is formed by the confluence of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers south of the town of Chandabali.[1] It lies in the Bhadrak district and empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Indravati River

Indravati River is a tributary of the Godavari River. Indravati river has its origin at eastern ghats in Kalahandi. It is 530 kms. long with a catchment area of 4170 sq. kms. The major tributaries of river Indravati are Keshadhara Nalla, Kandabindha Nallah, Chandragiri Nalla, Golagar Nalla, Poragarh Nalla, Kapur Nallah, Muran River, Bangiri Nallah, Telengi Nallah, Parlijori Nallah, Turi Nallah, Chourijori Nallah, Damayanti Sayarh, Kora river, Modang river, Padrikundijori river, Jaura river and Bhaskel river.

Kadua River

Kadua river is located in Odisha state, India, and formed by the confluence of two streams at Charigan village. It runs for a distance of 22 miles draining the area between Prachi and Kushabadra rivers before joining the Bay of Bengal.

Kathajodi River

Kathajodi River is an arm of the Mahanadi River in Orissa. River Kathajodi was originally a small stream. The name of the river hints that it could at one time be crossed by a plank of wood known as katha in Oriya language. Its right branch is known as the Devi and the left as the Kuakhai.

Kharkai River

Kharkai River is one of the major tributaries of the Subarnarekha River. Kharkāi is derived from the Sanskrit word Kharakāyā meaning "fast flowing river" (khara means "fast" and kāyā means "body"). It originates between Darbarmela Parbat and Tungru Pahar. Its tributaries Kardkai Kandria Nusa Barhai Karanjia in Orissa; Torlo Ili Gara Sanjai in Jharkhand.

Koina River

The Koina originates near Bhangaon in Odisha. It flows through West Singhbhum in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It flows for 83 kilometres (52 mi) before it joins the South Koel River.

Kushabhadra River

Kushabhadra River forms the complex of river systems which form the distributaries of the Mahanadi River. Dhanua River is its main tributary, bringing in water to its parent body. flows in a south western direction towards Nimapara and Gopa area for 70-80 kms before sinking in to the Bay of Bengal near Ramachandi Temple, 24 km east of Puri in the Puri District of Orissa.

Mahanadi River

It is the major river of Odisha and the sixth largest river in India. It originates from the Amarkantak hills of the Bastar Plateau in Raipur district of Madhya Pradesh. The total catchment area of Mahanadi river is 141,600 sq. kms and almost 885 kms long. The river carries on an average about 92,600 million m. of water. The word Mahanadi literally comes from two odia words 'Maha' and 'Nadi' meaning 'The great river. The major branches and sub-branches of Mahanadi are Kathajodi, Birupa, Kuakhai, Daya, Bhargavi, Kandala, Luna and Karandia. All the major branchs and sbu-branches including Mahanadi falls into the Bay of Bengal expect Daya and Bhargavi which fall into Chilika lake. The Mahanadi was notorious for its devastating floods for much of recorded history. Thus it was called 'the sorrow of Odisha'. Mahanadi valley is best known for its fertile soil and flourishing agriculture. The river passes through important regions such as Koshal, Dandakaranya and coastal plains. It also traverses important cities and administrative areas like Raipur, Betal, Bilaspur, Janjgir, Subarnapur, Sambalpur, Angul, Boudh, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Subalaya, Birmaharajpur, Boudh. Important tourist attractions like Sonarpur Lanka, Satakosia Gorge and Hookitola falls located on its lake.

Malaguni River

Malaguni River originates on the border of Ganjam District and Khurda District. It flows northeast, east and southeast through Khurda Tahasil, passes historic Golabai Sassan and joins the Daya River. at Balabhadrapur village in Puri District then flows southwest into Chilika Lake, which then flows to the Bay of Bengal.

Nagavali River

The River Nagavali is one of the main rivers of Southern Odisha and Northern Andhra Pradesh States in India, between Rushikulya and Godavari basins. Nagabali River of orissa having its source Bijipur Hills close to Lanji garah. It has a total catchment area of about 9410sq.kms and about 210 kms. long out of which 100kms is in Odisha. The main tributaries of the River Nagavali are Jhanjavati, Barha, Baldiya, Satnala, Sitagurha, Srikona, Gumudugedda, Vottigedda, Suvarnamukhi, Vonigedda, Relligedda and Vegavati.

Kolab River

Kolab River is one of the major rivers of Orissa. It originates from the Sinkaran hills of the Eastern Ghats in Koraput districts and finally meets the Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The river covers a catchment area of 20400 sq kms. The prominent tributaries of Kolab are Karandi Nalla, Guradi Nalla, Kangar Nallah, Garia, Dharmageda Nallah, JamNadi, Malengar River, Mulervagu Nallah, Potteru Vagu Nallah, Machhakund River, Sileru River.

Rushikulya River

It originates from the Rushimala hills of the Eastern Ghats in Kandhamal district. It is 165 km long with 8900 km2 of catchment areas. Its tributaries are Baghua , Dhanei, Badanad, etc. It has no delta at its mouth.

Tel River

Tel is an important tributary of Mahanadi river. Tel River of Orissa is one of the largest river of Odisha which originate from Nabarangpur district and passes through Kalahandi, Balangir. It meets the main river at Sonpur or Subarnapur. The meeting point of the two rivers offers a magnificent view against a colorful landscape.

Subarnarekha River

It originates near Nagri village in Ranchi district of Jharkhand at an elevation of 600m. As per tradition gold was mined near the origin of the river at a village named Piska near Ranchi. This is why it was named Subarnarekha meaning "Streak Of Gold". The total catchment area of the basin is 29,196 sq. kms and the length of the river is about 395 kms. It passes through the state Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal. It bounded on the North-West by the chhotnagpur plateau, in the South-West by Brahmani basin, in the South by Burhabalanga basin and in the South-East by the Bay of Bengal. The prominent tributaries of the river are Kharkai, Roro, Kanchi, Harmu Nadi, Damra, Karru, Chinguru, Karakai, Gurma, Garra, Singaduba, Kodia, Dulunga and Khaijori. It flows for 79 kms and joins the Bey Of Bengal near Talsari.

Salandi River

This Salandi River is one of the prime tributaries of Baitarani River which comes under the state of Odisha. It originates from the Meghasan hills of the Similipala massif in Keonjhar district. It has a total length of 144 km and boasts of a catchment area of 1793 square km. Salandi River dam is located near the Hadgarh village present in the Keonjhar district Orissa state.

Vansadhara River

The river Banshadhara originates from the flanks of the Durgakangar hills (Lingaraj hills) of the Eastern Ghats in Kalahandi district. It has a catchment area of 11500 sq. kms. and 230 km long out of which only 150 km in Odisha. It goes to the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The name of Vamsadhara River has been derived from the words `bansa` which means bamboo and `dhara` which means water flow. The river in fact originates from the forests covered with bamboo trees. Thus the river received the name of Bansadhara in Oriya. The prominent tributaries are Bhangi, Pedagoda on the right side and Badanalla, Chauladhua, Pandaka Nalla, Badajhar, Harbhangi, Sananadi, and Mahendratanaya on left side.

LAKES

Chilika lake

Chilika lake is the biggest lake in our country India and the second biggest lake or lagoon with brachish water in the World. The pear-shaped Chilka Lake stretches across 1,100 sq km and stretches through three districts Puri, Khurda, Ganjam. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. The Satpara Island is popular as a dolphin-spotting site in Chilika Lake, Orissa. Kalijai Island is home to the Goddess Kalijai, venerated by the local fisher folk. The lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher-folk living in 132 villages on the shore and island.

Ansupa Lake

Ansupa lake is one of the biggest fresh water lake in Odisha. The Ansupa is a horseshoe shaped fresh water lake on the left bank of the Mahanadi opposite Banki in Cutack district. It is at present about 5 kms long and 1.6 kms wide. The lake stands at the foot of the Saranda hills. This lake spreads over 141-hectare.

Hirakud Dam

Hirakud reservoir forms the largest artificial lake in Asia which is present in Sambalpur and Jharsuguda. This reservoir spreads over an area of 746 sq km and a shore line of over 640 km. A twenty-one km drive on the dyke offers a unique experience of calm serenity. This huge lake is a part of the Hirakud Dam, which has been built over River Mahanadi and is the longest dam in the world.

Kolab Dam

Kolab reservoir is also an artificial lake such as Hirakud dam which is situated in Kalahandi and Nabarangpur. This reservoir originating near Thuamul-Rampur, thr river Indrabati makes its winding course through dense forests and sunkissed valleys till it halts at Khatiguda to form a reservoir in the hands of modern sculptors. The lake, which lies surrounded by verdant mountains, presents a beautiful picture

Kanjia Lake

Kanjia is a natural fresh water lake lying south of Barang in the Chandaka area of Khurda district. While the main lake consist of 75 hectares (190 acres), the total wetland covers an area of 105 hectares (260 acres) with the scuba diving facility. It is hemmed in on three sides by flat hillocks with a slope only to the East. The lake constitute a part of the Nandankanan Zoological Park, and is used for recreational boating by the visitors. The lake also offers boating facility to the tourists.

Sorada reservoir

About 80 km from Berhampur, Sorada holds in its bosom a reservoir amidst uncommon scenic charm. Popularly known as Sorada Ghai, it blends itself beautifully into an enchanting picnic spot. At times, the water of this resrvior is channelsied to the Rusikulya river for irrigation.