The Kaveri Basin

3.3.6 The Kaveri Basin

Description

Quick Overview

The Kaveri Basin is an essential part of India's drainage systems, known for its significant river, the Kaveri, which flows through Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

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This section highlights the Kaveri River, its tributaries, and the geographic regions it drains. It describes the river's length, its importance for hydroelectric power, and its ecological significance through the diverse landscapes it traverses.

Detailed

The Kaveri Basin

The Kaveri rises in the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats and flows to the Bay of Bengal, covering a total length of approximately 760 kilometers. The Kaveri Basin is crucial as it drains parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The main tributaries of the Kaveri include the Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati, and Kabini rivers.

One notable feature of the Kaveri River is the Shivasamudram Falls, recognized as the second-largest waterfall in India. This area is significant for generating hydroelectric power, which supports cities like Mysuru, Bengaluru, and the Kolar Gold Fields. Additionally, the Kaveri Basin and its river systems are vital for irrigation and agricultural practices in the regions it traverses.

Key Concepts

  • Kaveri River: A vital river in southern India.

  • Tributaries: Smaller rivers contributing to the Kaveri's flow.

  • Hydroelectric Power: Energy produced from river currents.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Kaveri flows swift and strong, in her waters we all belong.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once in the Western Ghats, a river called Kaveri was born, nurtured by the mountains, nurturing farms with every dawn.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • KABH: Kaveri, Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati - key tributaries to remember!

🎯 Super Acronyms

KAV

  • Kaveri - Agriculture - Vital for the economy.

Examples

  • The Kaveri supplies water for irrigation to farmers in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

  • Hydroelectric power from the Kaveri River is vital for cities like Mysuru and Bengaluru.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Kaveri River

    Definition:

    A significant river in southern India that rises in the Western Ghats and flows to the Bay of Bengal.

  • Term: Tributary

    Definition:

    A river or stream that flows into a larger river or lake.

  • Term: Hydroelectric Power

    Definition:

    Electricity generated from the energy of flowing water.

  • Term: Basin

    Definition:

    The area drained by a river and its tributaries.

  • Term: Shivasamudram Falls

    Definition:

    The second-largest waterfall in India, located on the Kaveri River.