Basic Facts About Rivers

Kerala is popularly known as the land of rivers, lagoons, and backwaters.

Western ghats are the originating source of all major rivers of Kerala.

According to the government of Kerala, a water channel which is more 15 Km long is considered as a river.

 Kerala has 11 rivers which are more than 100 Km long.

 In Kerala, most of the rivers descents into the Arabian sea.

• Total rivers in Kerala – 44
• West flowing rivers – 41
• East flowing rivers - 3
• East flowing rivers in Kerala: Kabani, Bhavani, Pambar
• The longest river – Periyar (244 km)
• The shortest river – Manjeswaram River (16km)
• The northernmost river - Manjeswaram River
• The southernmost river – Neyyar (56 km)
• The district with a maximum number of rivers – Kasargod (12)
• All the rivers are entirely monsoon-fed.

The Major Rivers in Kerala

• Periyar - 244 Km
• Bharathapuzha - 209 Km
• Cottage - 176 Km
• Chaliyar - 169 Km
• Chalakkudy Puzha - 145.5Km
• Round Around - 130 Km
• Achancovil River - 128 Km
• Kallada River - 121 Km
• Muvattupuzha River - 121 Km
• Kallada River - 121 Km
• Valapattanam River - 110 Km
• Chandragiri River - 105 Km
• Kallada River - 121 Km
• Neyyar  River -  56 Km
• Kunthipuzha River - 25 Km
• Manjeswaram river - 16 km

Periyar

• It is the longest river in Kerala 244 Km.
• Periyar is the largest river in Kerala
• The old name of Periyar was Choorni and mentioned in the book "Arstasastra"
• In Reghuvamsha, Kalidasa's mentioned Periyar as Murachi.
• In Sangam age, it was known as Chulli
• Periyar is known as "Lifeline of Kerala"
• Originates from the Sivagiri hills(Idukki)of the Western Ghats range in Kerala

Major Tributaries of Periyar

• Muthirappuzha
• Mullayar
• Perunthurayar
• Kattappanayar
• Cheruthoniyar

The main tributary of Periyar is Mullayar

Periyar flows trough Idukki and Ernakulam

In Ernakulam, Periyar is known as Aluva puzha

From Aluva, it divided in two - Marthandam Puzha and Mangalam puzha

Mangalam Puzha joins in Chalakudy River and Marthandam Puzha joins in Varapuzha

Aluva, Kaladi, Malayattoor, and Neriyamangalam are some of the famous places on the banks of river Periyar

Major Hydro-Electric Projects in Periyar

• Idukki hydroelectric project
• Pallivasal hydroelectric project
• Panniyar hydro-electric project
• Neriyamangalam hydro-electric project
• Lower Periyar hydro-electric project

Idukki dam is the largest Hydro Electrical project in Kerala and situates on the river of Periyar
The largest number of dams situates in Periyar

• Mulla Periyar.
• Bhuthathan Kettu.
• Mattupetty
• Munnar
• Cheruthoni
• Kulamavu
• Irattayar
• Edamalayar
• Anayirangal
• Ponmudi

Kerala's first Hydroelectric project - Pallivasal hydroelectric project (1940 March 19) on Muthirumpuzha 

Largest Arch Dam in India - Idukki dam (Cheruthoni River in 1976)

First Arch Dam in Asia - Idukki Dam