Kerala has 44 rivers, 41 are west flowing and 3 are east flowing. West flowing rivers drains into the join the Arabian sea or the backwater lakes.
All 44 rivers originate from the Sahyadri hills (Western Ghats).
The most important rivers are Periyar (244 km in length), the Bharathapuzha (209 km), the Pamba (176km), the Chalakudy Puzha (144 km), the Kadalundipuzha (130 km), and the Achancoil (128 km).
River that flow through the Silent Valley is Kunthippuzha.
The district in Kerala where there is maximum number of rivers flowing is Kasaragod.
The northernmost river in Kerala is Manjeshwaram Puzha. It is the shortest river among the 44 rivers.
The southernmost river in Kerala is Neyyar. It originates from Agasthyakoodam mountain.
Periyar
The longest river in Kerala is Periyar. Its length is 244 km and is known as the Lifeline of Kerala.
It originates from the Sivagiri hills of the Western Ghats.
It flows north. Here Water is diverted from the lake and falls into the Vaigai River through a tunnel that goes through Western Ghats.
From the lake, the river runs through the Neeleswaram village and falls into Vembanad Lake, then to the Arabian Sea coast.
Its tributaries are Muthirapuzha River, the Mullayar River, the Cheruthoni River, the Peringalkuthu River and the Edamala River.
It generates a significant proportion of Kerala's electrical power via the Idukki Dam.
25 % of Kerala's industries are located along the banks of Periyar.
Anamudi (2,695m), the highest peak in South India is located in the Periyar basin and is the highest point of the basin.
The Mullaperiyar dam is built at the merging spot of Periyar and Mullayar. The Periyar Thekkady lake, Periyar National Park and the reservoir were created along its bank.
The important reservoirs in the Periyar basin are Bhoothathankettu, Idamalayar, Ponmudi, Kallarkutti, Idukki, Sengulam, Mullaperiyar and so on.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is located between the branches of Periyar River.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve is also one of the most ecologically diverse regions in India.
Bharathappuzha
It is the second longest river in Kerala (209 km. length). It is also known as Nila.
The source of river is in the Anamalai Hills located in the Western Ghats, and flows westward.
At Parli both Kannadippuzha and Kalpathippuzha merge and flow as Bharathappuzha. It empties into the Arabian Sea at Ponnani.
There are 11 reservoirs along the course of the river. Malampuzha dam is the largest reservoir
Thirunavaya (Venue of the Mamankam festi-val) was on the banks of Bharathapuzha.
Kerala Kalamandalam (Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur District) is situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river.
The largest Bio-diversity River in India.
Pamba River
The third longest river and is also the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore.
Sabarimala temple is located on the banks of the river Pamba.
Pampa is known as Saint River.
Pamba is considered as the Dakshina Ganga of Kerala due to its association with Pilgrim Centre Sabarimala. It is also known as ‘Dakshina Bhageerathi' and ‘River Banks’.
The source Pampa river is at Pulachimalai hill located in the Peerumedu plateau of Western Ghats. It empties into the Vembanad Lake.
Northern boundary is Manimala River basin and Southern boundary is Achankovil River basin.
The Aranmula Boat Race and the Maraman Convention is also held on the bank of river.
It is the fourth longest river in Kerala, which has a length of 169 kms.
It is also called as Beypore River.
It flows through Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode and empties into the Arabian Sea.
Kallada River
It flows through Kollam district, which has a length of 121 kms.
The river flows into the Ashtamudi
The famous tourist destinations, Palaruvi waterfall and Hanging Bridge is in this river.
Valapattanam River
It is the largest river in Kannur.
The Western India Plywood is located near this river. It is the biggest plywood factory in Asia.
Pilgrim center Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple is located on the bank of the river
East Flowing Rivers in Kerala
The three rivers east flowing rivers in kerala are Kabini, Bhavani & Pambar.
The river that flows eastwards to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and join Kaveri river is Kabini. It is also known as Kapila. The Banasura Sagar Dam is erected on the tributary of Kabini River. Kabani Dam is situated in Mysore District. Kuruvadweep has a total area of 950-acre which is a protected river delta located in the Kabini River. It is 17 km east of Mananthavady.
Bhavani is a major tributary of the Kaveri. It is the second largest river in Tamilnadu. Bhavani River flows through the Attappady valley of Palakkad District.
Pambar River originates from Anamudi Hills. Pambar flows through Idukki District. Pambar is also known as Thalayar.
FACTS ABOUT LAKES & BACKWATERS IN KERALA
Kerala is bestowed with 34 lakes, of these 7 are inland backwaters, 27 are relating to azhi/pozhi.
The Important backwaters of kerala are Vembanadu, Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta, Vellayani, Paravoor, Pookode, Veli, Kadinamkulam, Anjuthengu, Edava, Nadayara, Kayamkulam, Kodungallur and Chetuva, Uppala, Kumbala,Kalnadu, Kavvayi, Ponnani, Kadalundi, Kanjiramukku etc.
The total length of the Inland Waterways is 687 Km.
Vembanadu Lake
It is the largest lake in the state.
It is also longest lake in India, which is approximately 14 kilometres wide at its widest point.
The lake spread over Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam Districts.
The lake is fed by ten major rivers that flowing into it.
The lake surrounds the islands of Pathiramanal, Perumbalam, Raman thuruthu, Pallippuram, Cheranallur, Vypin, Wellington, Bolgatty and Vallarpadam.
The Port of Kochi is located around two islands (the Willington Island and Vallarpadam) in a portion of this lake known as the Kochi Lake.
The Cochin port is situated at the lake's exit to the Arabian Sea.
The stretch of Kochi Azhi to Munambam Azhi is popularly called by the people as Veeranpuzha. It has different names in different localities of Ernakulum and Alappuzha.
Nehru Trophy boat race is held each year on the Punnamada backwaters.
The Vembanad Wetland System was listed as a wetland of international importance as stated by the Ramsar Convention in 2002. It is the largest of the three Ramsar Sites in the state.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the on the banks of Vembanadu Lake.
Thanneermukkom is on the banks of Lake. A salt water barrier (1252 meter long) is built across the lake at Thaneermukkom.
Ashtamudi Lake
It is the second largest lake (Kollam Dist.). It is also known as Gateway to the Backwaters.
Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of Wetlands of international importance as per Ramsar convention.
It is the deepest estuary among all the estuaries of Kerala.
Lake is 16 metre in length.
Quilon is a chief ancient port city situated on the right bank of the lake.
Islands of Ashtamudi Lake are Munroe thuruth, Chavara South and Thekkumbhagom.
Munroe Island (Munroe thuruth) is a cluster of eight tiny islands in Ashtamudi Lake.
The lake is shaped like palm with eight prominent arms or channels which gives it the name Ashtamudi. The arms of the lake meet at Neendakara near Kollam and evacuates at the Arabian Sea.
Sasthamkotta Lake
It is the biggest fresh water lake in the State.
It is known as Queen of Lakes.
The lake is also considered as the wetland of international importance by the Ramsar Convention from November 2002 onwards.
Vellayani Lake
It covers an area of 7.5 sq km.
It is the largest freshwater lake in Thiruvananthapuram District.
It is one of the three rain-fed freshwater lakes in Kerala.
Paravur Lake
Its location is Paravur (Kollam district).
Its area is 6.62 square kilometers.
It is the final destination of the Ithikkara River.
It has been merged with Edava Kayal and Ashtamudi Kayal.
Pookot Lake
It is naturally formed lake in Wayanad district.
The lake is surrounded on all sides with forest.
Its area is 8.5 hectares.
A tributary of Kabani River also known in the name of Panamaram River starts from this lake.
West Coast Canal
It is the first National Waterway built in india.
The West Coast Canal spans a total length of 560 Km starting from Kovalam to Hosdurg.
The West Coast Canal (National Waterway No 3) runs between Kottapuram and Kollam.
Malampuzha Dam
It is the largest reservoir in Kerala.
It is considered as the largest irrigation project in the state having a large network of canal systems.
It is located in Palakkad district.
Impounds: Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha
Malampuzha Garden and reservoir attracts tourists.
The dam project was completed in 1955.
The dam was considered as a multi-purpose project for supplying water for irrigation, power generation, drinking, fishing and water transport.
Malampuzha Dam has brought prosperity to the district, making Palakkad the 'rice howl of Kerala'.
