Rivers In Uttarakhand

  1. Uttarakhand
  2. About Uttarakhand
  3. Rivers In Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a state which is known for its hundreds of small and big rivers, the holy places, sacred temples, situated on the banks of the rivers. Some of these rivers have religious significance in India because of their relevance in Hindu mythology. The sources of these rivers are glaciers of the western Himalayas situated in India, Nepal and Tibet borders.

These rivers play a vital role in the economical, cultural, social and environmental issues of India. The hydroelectric projects on these rivers are illuminating thousands of homes, but they are also facing the flak from environmentalists for disturbing the ecological balance. These rivers are the backbone of Indian economy because of their usage for farming, drinking water, electricity, fishing, trading, etc.

Famous Rivers of Uttarakhand

In some parts of Uttarakhand, rivers like Ganga, Tons, Yamuna, and Kali are famous for offering a wide variety of water sports. Most of these rivers are clean and less polluted till they enter in the Tarai region.

Posted by: eUttaranchal/ Bhupendra Kunwar
Alaknanda River

1. Alaknanda River

The Alaknanda River flowing in Uttarakhand is one of the two head-streams of holy river Ganga. The source of Alaknanda River is the confluence of Satopanth Glacier and Bhagirathi Kharak Glacier. The length of Alaknanda River is 190 km and the basin is about 10,882 km square. Alaknanda River is considered as the source stream of Ganga River.

Bhagirathi River

2. Bhagirathi River

The Bhagirathi River is a Himalayan River which flows in Uttarakhand state. It is one of the two headstreams of the pious Ganga River. This river has a length of 205 km and basin about 6,921 sq km. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Bhagirathi River is the source-stream of Ganga River.

Bhilangna River

3. Bhilangna River

Bhilangna River in Uttarakhand India is a major tributary of Bhagirathi River, which is the source-stream of Ganga River. The length of this river is 80 km. Bhilangna River rises at the foot of Khatling Glacier, perched at an elevation 3,717 metres, about 12,195 feet above sea level.

Dhauliganga River – Garhwal

4. Dhauliganga River – Garhwal

Dhauliganga also known as Dhauli River is one of the six source streams, of the holy Ganga River. The Dhauliganga in the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand emerges from Deovan Himani and ends at Vishnuprayag. 

Dhauliganga River – Kumaon

5. Dhauliganga River – Kumaon

In the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, the Dhauliganga River originates from Govan Khana Himani and exists at Tawadhar. Dhauliganga of Kumaon is a tributary of Kali River. It meets Kali River also known as Sharda River at Tawaghat in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.

Ganga River

6. Ganga River

The Ganga River also referred to as the Ganges emerges from Devprayag and exists at Haridwar, in Uttarakhand. The source of Ganga River is Gangotri Glacier, Satopanth Glacier, Khatling Glacier and the melted water from the snow-clad peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedarnath, Nanda Kot and Kamet. The Ganga River begins at the confluence of the holy rivers Bhagirathi and Alakn

Gaula River

7. Gaula River

The Gaula River is a Himalayan river which flows in India. The source of this river is Paharpani and the end point is Kichchha. The length of this river is about 103 km. The Gaula River emerges from the Sattal Lakes in Uttarakhand. It flows through Kathgodam, Haldwani and Shahi. Then it merges with Ramganga River, a tributary of Ganga, which is about 15 km northwest of Bareilly in U

Gori Ganga River

8. Gori Ganga River

Gori Ganga also referred to as Ghori Ganga and Gori Gad is a river in the Munsiyari tehsil of Pithoragarh district, in Uttarakhand. The source of Gori Ganga is Milam Glacier, in the northeast direction of Nanda Devi and the end point is Jauljibi where it joins Kali River. 

Kali River

9. Kali River

The Kali River also known as “Sharda River”, “Kutiyangdi” or “Mahakali River” is a Himalayan river, which flows through Uttarakhand. The traditional source of Kali River is LipmpiyaDhura in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, 3,600 metres about 11,800 feet above sea level. The length of this river is 252 km and the basin area is 18,140 square km. Kali River is the headwater strea

Kosi River

10. Kosi River

Kosi is a Himalayan river which originates from Dharpani Dhar (2,500 m) in Baramandal region of Almora district in Kumaon, Uttarakhand.  After emerging from Dharpani Dhar, Kosi river flows through the valleys and towns of Ramnagar Uttarakhand, then it enters the Tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh, where it joins Ramganga river.

Mandakini River

11. Mandakini River

Mandakini River emerges from Chorabari Glacier near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, India. This river is a tributary of Alaknanda River and is fed by Vasukiganga River at Sonprayag. The river merges with Kaliganga near Kalimath temple and with Madhyamaheshwar Ganga near Ukhimath. 

Nandakini River

12. Nandakini River

Nandakini is one of the five tributaries of the holy Ganga River. The mighty river originates from Nanda Ghunghati and exists at Nandprayag. 

Nayar River – Eastern

13. Nayar River – Eastern

Nayar River (eastern) is a tributary of holy Ganga River. It emerges from Dudhatoli ranges of Garhwal in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. The length of eastern Nayar River is 94 km. The known places situated nearby this river are Bharani Sain, Dudhatoli, Thalisain, Baijron, Bironkhal, Manjyari, Khairsain, etc. 

Nayar River – Western

14. Nayar River – Western

Like eastern Nayar, western Nayar River also originates from Dudhatoli ranges of Garhwal in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. Western Nayar is also known as Paschimi Nayar. The length of the river is 91 km. It is one of the tributaries of holy Ganga River. 

Pindar River

15. Pindar River

Pindar River also known as Pindari River is a Himalayan river, which emerges from Pindari Glacier in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. The river has a length of 105 kilometres. 

Ramganga River- Eastern

16. Ramganga River- Eastern

Namik Glacier situated in the south-east of Nandakot peak is the source of eastern Ramganga River. Like Gaumukh for Ganga in Gangotri glacier, this river also originates from a 'Gau-Mukh'(a cow-mouth shaped mountain). A small gorge in the west of this river separates it from Kafni and Saryu River. 

Ramganga – Western

17. Ramganga – Western

Ramganga West River emerges from Dudhatoli ranges in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The length of Ramganga River is 155 km and the catchment area of the basin is 30,641km square. This river flows to the southwest from Kumaun Himalayas. Ramganga is a tributary of Ganga, which originates from the high-altitude zone of 800m to 900 m.

Saryu River

18. Saryu River

Saryu (Sarju) is a Himalayan river which flow in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The source of this river is Sarmool and the end point is Pancheshwar. In local dialect, Saryu river is referred to as 'Sarju'. Bhuni, Sup and Khati are the famous 'Ghats' situated on the Bank of this river. The Saryu river flows to the south-west direction and at Talla Danpur region it meets with 'Kanal Gad'. 

Tons River

19. Tons River

Tons River is a major perennial Himalayan river which flows through Garhwal division of Uttarakhand and touches Himachal Pradesh. It is the largest tributary of Yamuna River, having a length of 148 km. The source of this river is Bandarpuch Mountain. Tons River carries more water than Yamuna River and meets it below Kalsi, near the town of Dehradun in Uttarakhand. 

Yamuna River

20. Yamuna River

The Yamuna is a sacred river of India according, to Hindu mythology. Yamuna River also known as Jamuna originates from Yamunotri Glacier, perched at an elevation of 6,387 metres on the southwestern slopes of Bunderpooch Mountain, in the uppermost region of the Lower Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Then the river flows in the southward direction for about 200 km, passing the Lower Himalayas and the Shiva

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