Water is one of the most vital natural resources of Himachal Predesh. The state is richly endowed with a hilly terrain having an enormous volume of water from the catchment areas of Satluj, Beas, Ravi and Chenab rivers. As such, the state has enormous potential of water resources in the form of glaciers and rivers but ground water resources are limited. The major consumptive use of water in the State has been for irrigation. The gross irrigation potential of the State is estimated to be 3.35 lakh hectare, while the irrigation potential created has reached 2.56 lakh hectare by September 2013.
Availability of Water resources
Glaciers :
Glaciers are located in higher Himalayan reaches (above 4000 m) in Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Zanskar and Great Himalayan ranges. There are 800 Glaciers in the Himachal Himalayas which are 199 higher in number as compared to the previous report of 601 Glaciers in the state reported in the state development report in 1991. This variation is due to breaking of large glaciers into smaller ones with the increasing temperature in past two decades.
According to the investigations carried in the Himachal Himalayas, there are a total of 334 glaciers in the entire Satluj Basin which includes the information about the Beas, Sainj, Spiti, Baspa basins and 457 glaciers in Chenab basin. The total area covered by these glaciers in Satluj and Chinab basins is 2175 km2. Besides the glaciers there are 2679 permanent snowfields in these basins with a total area of 1775.189 km2. Out of 334 glaciers in the entire Satluj basin, 202 glaciers are located in the Himachal Pradesh.
Basin Name Number of Glaciers Aerial Extent (km2) No. of Permanent Snowfields Aerial Extent (km2)
Beas 51 503.725 237 312.564
Parvati 36 450.627 131 188.188
Sainj 09 37.255 59 51.934
Spiti 71 258.237 597 368.366
Baspa 25 203.300 66 64.964
Satluj 151 616.299 857 544.173
Chenab 457 1055.27 732 245.000
Total 800 3124.713 2679 1775.189
Surface water Resources :
Surface water is water on the surface of the planet such as in a river, lake, wetland, or ocean. It can be contrasted with groundwater and atmospheric water.
Non-saline surface water uses is replenished by precipitation and by recruitment from ground-water. It is lost through evaporation, seepage into the ground where it becomes ground-water, used by plants for transpiration, extracted by mankind for agriculture, living, industry etc. or discharged to the sea where it becomes saline. Most of the surface water resources of the state flow from perennial rivers which originate from glaciers. The flow in these rivers is further augmented by run-off from the catchment area.
Rivers :
90% of Himachal Pradesh’s drainage forms the part of Indus river system. Himachal provides water to both the Indus and Ganges basins. The major river systems of the region are the Chandrabhaga or the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej and the Yamuna. These perennial rivers are fed by snow and rainfall and are protected by a fairly extensive cover of natural vegetation. The Beas (Vedic name Arjikiya and in later Sanskrit Vipasa) rises in the Pir Panjal range near the RohtangPass and flows some 256km in Himachal. The river is formed by a number of tributaries, the important being the Parbati, the Hurla, the Sainj, the Uhl, the Suheti, the Luni, the Banganga and the Chaki.
The northern and eastern tributaries of the Beas are snow fed and perennial, while the southern affluent are seasonal. During August, increase in inflow sometimes results in floods. The Chandrabhaga or Chenab (Vedic name Askni), the largest river (in volume of water) is formed after the meeting of 2 streams, Chandra and Bhaga at Tundi, in Lahul. It flows 122kms and has a catchments area of 7500sq.km. in Himachal, before entering Kashmir.
The Chandra passes through barren land where there are no signs of life. The Ravi (Vedic name Purushni and in later Sanskrit Iravati) is born in Bara Banghal, Kangra district as a joint stream formed by the glacier fed Bhadal and Tantgari. The river has a length of about 158km and has a catchment area of about 5451km. Chamba lies on its right Bank.
The Sutlej (Vedic name Saturdi and in later Sanskrit Shatadru) originates in distant Tibet. It cuts through both the great Himalayan and the Zaskar ranges and crosses the Indo-Tibetan border near Shipkila. Then the river Spiti joins it from the north. Passing through precipitous gorges and narrow valleys it emerges from the mountains at Bhakra. The catchment area of Sutlej in Himachal is 20,000sq.km. The Yamuna has its origin in Yamunotri in Uttar Kashi (Uttar Pradesh). Its total catchment area in Himachal is 2320sq.km. Its main tributaries are the Tons, the Giri and the Bata.
Lakes :
There are a number of small and large lakes in Himachal Pradesh. Most important representing the water budget for the state are 21. Details of these lakes is as follows: Major Lakes of Himachal Pradesh contributing as a water reservior.
1.Bhrigu Kullu distt.2.Dashair Kullu distt.3.Mantalai Kullu distt.4.Seruvalsar Mandi distt. 5.Prashar Mandi distt 6. Rewalsar Mandi distt 7. Nako Kinnaur distt. 8. Chandertal Lahul-Spiti 9. Surajtal Lahul-Spiti 10.
Chandernaun Shimla 11. Dal Kangra 12. Kareri Kangra 13. Pong Dam Kangra14. Mani Mahesh Chamba 15.
Gauri Kund Chamba 16. Khajiar Chamba 17. Lam Dal Lake Chamba 18. Gadhasaru Chamba 19. Mahakali Chamba 20.Khundi Maral Chamba 21.Renuka Sirmaur
Ramsar Wetlands :
1. Chandra Taal (meaning the Lake of the Moon) :
Chandra Tal is situated at an altitude of about 4,300 metres (14,100 ft) in the Himalayas. Mountains of scree overlook the lake on one side, and a magnificent cirque presents a view on the other. The name of the lake originates from its crescent shape. Situated in the Spiti part of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, Chandra Taal is a popular destination for trekkers and campers.
The lake is accessible on foot from Batal as well as from Kunzum Pass from late May to early October. There is also a motorable road from Batal which is 16 km (9.9 mi) away from Chandra Taal, but before August, its condition can be bad. The road from Kunzum Pass is accessible only on foot, and it is about 8 km (5.0 mi) from Chandra Taal. Vast meadows on the banks of the lake are the camping sites. During springtime, these meadows are carpeted with hundreds of kinds of wildflowers.
The most surprising thing about this lake is that there is no visible source of this lake but there is a visible outlet of this lake which means that water to this lake comes from underground. The lake is situated on the Samundra Tapu plateau, which overlooks the Chandra River. The lake is one of two high-altitude wetlands of India which have been designated as Ramsar sites.
2. Renuka Wetland :
It is located 173 km Southwest of Shimla in Sirmaur District at an altitude of 660 m above msl. Due to biological richness, the National Wetland Management Committee has designated it a wetland of national importance. There has been great concern about the ecological deterioration, habitat degradation and eutrophication of wetland due to silting, high level of organic pollution, dumping of non biodegradable materials by
pilgrims and tourists. This has not only resulted in habitat deterioration, shrinking of the aquatic life, but also the terrestrial fauna of Renuka Sanctuary as this is the only perennial source of water for wild animals.
3. Pong Dam:
Pong Dam is situated at district Kangra and the bank of Beas river along boundary of Himachal and Punjab states. It is situated at 31058’57”N and 76003’33”E 430m above msl in Kangra District with an area of 21712 hectare. It is a water storage reservoir. At highwater level maximum depth exceeds 59 m and low water level a muddy shore line upto 100 m. The reservoir contains several large islands.
Groundwater Resources :
The groundwater resources occur mainly in unconsolidated sediments of intermontain valleys and in the submontane tract. Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur districts, particularly their valley areas depend upon groundwater. The exploitation is done through open wells, tubewells, infiltration galleries and wells.
Total replenishable groundwater resources: 0.036 m ham/yr
Provision for domestic, industrial and other uses :0.007 m ham/yr
Available net groundwater resources for irrigation : 0.029 m ham/yr
Net draft :0.005 m ham/yr
Balance groundwater resources for future use :0.024 m ham/yr
Level of groundwater development :18.18 %
Utilisable irrigation potential by groundwater development : 65,500 ha
Traditional water sources :
As there is an imbalance between the supply and consumption of water, particularly by the poor and weaker sections of the society, the traditional sources of water play a significant role. These include springs, Khuls, Baories, Ponds, Khaties and ditches particularly in Himachal Pradesh. These systems supplement the water requirements of the rural and urban areas. There are 10512 traditional sources of water in the state for rural habitations.
Traditional water structures and their uses Structure Use :
1.Chappri/Talaai/Talaab Livestock/irrigation
2. Baori/Khatri Domestic water use
3. Naun Bathing & washing clothes
4. Chharedu/Panihar/Nahun Bathing, drinking water
5. Kuhl Irrigation & operating gharats
6. Gharat Milling