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Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WATER RESOURCES, COASTAL AND OCEAN

ENGINEERING (ICWRCOE 2015)

Nethravathi River - Water Supply Scheme in Dakshina Kannada

District - A Case Study
H C Chinnagiri Gowda1 , Girisha K 2 , Chandan C Gowda3
1
Department of Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic, Bantwal, 574211, India
2
Minor Irrigation Department, Mangalore, 575001, India
3
Researcher, Department,of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Guimaraes, 4800-058 Portugal

Abstract

Water is essential for all living beings. It is a major concern to provide water to all. It is a challenge to supply water to all major
cities in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. Nethravathi River is one of the major sources of water in the region which
yields about 1240TMC per year. Nethravathi River has its origins in Western Ghats of Karnataka flowing to a length of 126 Km
and joins Arabian Sea. In Dakshina Kannada district all major cities face water scarcity in summer season even after getting an
average annual rainfall of 3.75 – 4.25 m. It is a major challenge to the district administration for providing required water to the
people during summer season in spite of plenty of water available during monsoon. This paper highlights in giving solution to
this issue after studying various parameters like geographical structure, rainfall data and climate, study of catchment area, storage
methods, water demand and water supply schemes available in the region. An attempt has been made to suggest for supplying the
water to the cities in Dakshina Kannada district by increasing the storage capacity on the upstream side of the river to get water
round the clock.
© 2015
© 2015TheTheAuthors.
Authors.Published
Publishedbyby Elsevier
Elsevier B.V.B.V.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of ICWRCOE 2015.
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of ICWRCOE 2015
Keywords: Nethravathi; Dakshina Kannada; water scarcity; water supply

1. Introduction

The Nethravathi river basin is a part of Dakshina Kannada and it plays a key role not only in the district’s
economic development but also in the historic and cultural identity of the people. The river basin caters to
approximately 50% of district population and about 60 % of the agricultural area. Water is essential for all living

* H C Chinnagiri Gowda. Tel.: +91-9448466919.

E-mail address:chinnagiri_hc@yahoo.co.in

2214-241X © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of ICWRCOE 2015
doi:10.1016/j.aqpro.2015.02.081
626 H.C. Chinnagiri Gowda et al. / Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632

beings. It is a major concern to provide water to all. It is a challenge to supply water to all major cities in Dakshina
Kannada district, Karnataka, India. The study focuses on the basic geography of the basin, rainfall, water
availability, present water utilization and demand, etc.

1.1. Dakshina Kannada district

Dakshina Kannada district is an emerging district in all respects such as financial, education, information
technology, fisheries, etc., with about 4859 sq. kms area and a population of 20,89,649 (2011 census). The district
suffers scarcity of water during summer even after getting heavy rainfall during monsoon. Mangalore is the capital
city of this district having an about 200 sq. km area and a population 7, 84,569 (2011 census). Other towns such as
Subramanya, Dharmastala, Belthangadi, Uppinangadi, Puttur, Bantwal, etc., are economically upcoming cities.
Dakshina Kannada district is having a coastal length of about 40 kms and nestles between Arabian sea in west and
western Ghats in the east. Dakshina Kannada is surrounded by Kerala in the south and Udupi in the north. The
district is famous through its natural beauty by sceneries, beaches, river back water, harbor, kudru (small island in
river), historic places like temples, basadis, churches, mosque, well developed education institutions, etc. The major
rivers in this district are Nethravathi, Phalguni(Gurupura), Nandini and Shambhavi which joins Arabian sea and
other rivers Payaswini and Shiriya which flows to Kerala state and joins sea. Dakshina Kannada normally
experiences three seasons every year namely summer, monsoon and winter. In summer season the temperature may
vary from 25° to 38° C in the month of February to May, in monsoon season the district gets heavy rain about
4000mm during June to September and the winter season from October to January. In monsoon season the rivers are
flooded, in winter they experience a lean flow and dries up in summer. This district faces scarcity of water in
summer season.

1.2. Nethravathi River

The Nethravathi River has its origins at Bangrabalige valley, Yelaneeru Ghat in Kudremukh in Chikkamagaluru
district of Karnataka. This river flows through the famous pilgrimage place Dharmasthala and is considered as one
of the holy Rivers of Karnataka. After being joined by a number of small tributaries, it debounches into the Arabian
Sea near Mangalore. The main tributaries of this river are Kumaradhara, Mrithyunjaya (Charmadi hole), Kapila
(shishila) river, Aniyoor river and Somavathi (Laila) river. Kumaradhara is a major river which joins Nethravathi
River near Uppinangadi which originates near Bisle ghat after merging of Giri hole and Adda hole. The major
tributaries of this river are Kaniyoor River and Gundya (Kempu hole) river.

Fig.1. (a) Origin to Arabian sea River Path; (b) Catchment area.
 H.C. Chinnagiri Gowda et al. / Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632 627

2. Nethravathi River Basin

A river basin is an ideal analytical unit for water supply and demand studies. Most of the data required for water
demand estimation is collected and policy decisions taken at the administrative boundary level based on this. The
Nethravathi is a major river of the district Dakshina Kannada, having a drainage area of about 3,432 sq. km.
Dakshina Kannada receives an average rainfall of 3750-4250 mm annually. Nethravathi River flows from its origin
at 13°06´10´´N 75°25´08´´E at an elevation of 975 m and flowing along Dharmastala, Uppinangadi, Bantwal,
Thumbe, Mangalore to Arabian sea at 12°50´36´´N 74°49´45´´E about 126 km length through its path many
tributaries joins to this river which increases its discharge capacity. The major tributary of this river is Kumaradhara
River flows from its origin at 12°42´00´´N 75°43´13´´E at an elevation of 715 m about 67 km before it joins
Nethravathi river at Uppinangadi 12°50´20´´N 75°14´32´´E. Kumaradhara River is also a major river in Dakshina
Kannada district flows through the famous pilgrimage place Kukke Subramanya and is considered as one of the holy
rivers of Karnataka. It merges with Gundya River flows from its origin at 12°51´31´´N 75°42´45´´E at an elevation
of 730 m about 55 km before joining Kumaradhara river near Ulippu 12°44´38´´N 75°24´23´´E.

Fig.2. (a) Flow in Nethravathi during monsoon; (b) Flow in Nethravathi picture 2.

Fig.3. (a) Flow in Adda Hole; (b) River Cross Section Kumaradhara.
628 H.C. Chinnagiri Gowda et al. / Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632

Fig.4. (a) Flow in Adda Hole; (b) Kempu Hole River Cross Section

2.1 Water flow and Rainfall

Most of the rain falls within 4-5 months in the monsoon period, the average rainfall in the four months June to
September of the south- west monsoon is about 3450 mm. The rest of the eight months receive on average about 550
mm of rainfall. Capturing the abundant south-west monsoon for beneficial utilization in the other period is an
enormous task. The river is flooded in monsoon season and has a lean flow in summer which is due to percolated
water from the Western Ghats. The flow in this river is measured in two water discharge measuring stations located
at Uppinangadi and Panemangalore. The discharge measured at Uppinangadi discharge measuring station and the
average rainfall detail of last 5 years of Dakshina Kannada district is shown in fig 5(a) & (b).

Fig 5. (a) Water discharge data 1996-2010; (b) Rainfall data

2.2 Water Demand

Rapid population growth across the district is resulting in increase of the water demand. From 2011 census
data, district’s population has increased by about 35%, while the urban area population has increased by about
50%. Population projections suggest that water demand will continue to rise. Although many innovative urban
water conservation programs have reduced per capita uses, population growth has increased the urban water
demands approximately double in the last two decades. Steadily rising population and increasing water
demands in the Nethravathi river region will inevitably result in increasingly costly, controversial and
unavoidable trade-off choices to be made by water managers, politicians and other constituents.
The present water demand of major towns of Dakshina Kannada district are collected from respective
department and based on the population from 2011 census the future water demand considering 100%
population growth and 135 lpcd calculated are summarized in table 1.
 H.C. Chinnagiri Gowda et al. / Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632 629

Table 1. Water Demand Calculation.

City/Town Present Water Future Water
Demand in MLD Demand in MLD
Mangalore 160.00 211.83
Bantwal 5.45 31.29
Puttur 8.57 16.43
Belthangadi 1.60 3.99
Subramanya 3.00 6.00
Dharmastala 4.00 8.00
Uppinangadi 2.00 4.00

2.3 Present Water Utilization

Water from Nethravathi River and its tributaries is mainly used for drinking, agriculture and industrial purpose.
The city corporation and other local bodies are utilizing water from this river by constructing vented dams and other
structures. The minor irrigation department is constructing vented dams for supplying water for agricultural lands.
The farmers construct temporary mudkattas (bund using soil) for storing water for their agricultural and other
activities. The MRPL, BASF and other industries are drawing water for industrial purposes by constructing check
dams. The WRDO (Water Resources Development Organisation), Bangalore has assessed the water utilization in
west flowing rivers and this has been considered in this study.

Table 2. Present Water Utilization.

Purpose Present Water
Utilization in MLD
Drinking water 204.66
Agricultural purpose 579.78
Industrial purpose 27.24

3. Analysis

The length and width of river studied from https://www.google.com/maps at various locations in the Nethravathi
river and its tributaries (table 3).

Fig.6. (a) Length of Nethravathi river; (b) Length of Kumaradhara river

630 H.C. Chinnagiri Gowda et al. / Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632

Fig.7. (a) Length of Kempu hole; (b) Width of Nethravathi river at Thumbe

The length of Nethravathi river in which water can be stored is about 65 km, Kumaradhara river is about 50 km,
Gundya river is about 35 km, and in other rivers about 30 km.

Table 3.Width of the Nethravathi river and its tributaries at various locations.
For Nethravathi Width in m For Kumaradhara Width in m For Kempu Width in m
Width at Width at hole Width at

Mangalore 850 Uppinangadi 180 Ulippu 75

Thumbe 340 Ulippu 105-100 Gundya 60
Panemangalore 300 Subramanya 45 Yedakumeri 50
Uppinangadi 275-190 Bisle 30
Dharmasthala 120
Mundaje 35
Charmadi 30

3.1. Water Scarcity

The district with developments has increased the stress on the river to provide water for a variety of services such
as drinking, commercial and industrial needs. Large scale expansion of industries during last two decades and later
such as fertilizers, chemicals, petrochemicals, etc., has increased the conflicts in water utilization. The drinking
water supply and irrigation needs, which actually increase substantially during summer, are heavily dependent on
lean season flows.

3.2. Water Management

The WRDO (Water Resources Development Organization), Bangalore has assessed the total water flow in
Nethravathi river basin to be about 1240 TMC. In spite of so much water availability required quantity of water has
not been utilized. The water requirement of the main towns is calculated as 281.54 MLD. From the water discharge
data it has been observed that there is very low water flow in the river in summer season, the water availability
considering 30% loss due to evaporation and percolation is calculated as 121.89 MLD. For the utilization of water
by farmers for maintaining their agricultural crops the availability of water is considered as 60.94 MLD. Continuous
supply of water to the towns of Dakshina Kannada district is possible when 19,881 million liters of water is stored at
the end of January.
 H.C. Chinnagiri Gowda et al. / Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632 631

For storing good amount of water there should be minimum losses due percolation, evaporation etc. Water supply
is economical when there is minimum energy is utilized for transfer of water from storage to required area. From the
google earth it can be observed that the upper part of the river is at the bottom part of the western ghat having higher
gradient when compared to Mangalore city. For the storage of water, large dams are not possible due to the
geography of the area, water should be stored in its length without causing any submergence of the land. The storage
of water increases the ground water level of the area along with the nature by development of its flora and fauna.

3.3. Implication

A proper plan is required for utilization of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purpose. If we provide
series of check dams along the river and main tributaries at an elevation of 300m and above at every 3 km intervals,
maximum quantity of water can be stored.

Quantity of water stored can be calculated by considering 50m average width check dam with 20m height and
10m average depth of water for a length of about 1 km. Hence 10mx50mx1000m = 500000 cum of water can be
stored which yields 500 million liters of water in each check dam. If it is assumed that 10 such check dams are
installed at feasible locations, 5000 million liters of water can be stored. Depending upon the topography and
location of dams, number of check dams can provided based on the requirement. In turn, by providing such series of
check dams along the river, the following can be achieved:

x Supply of water for Drinking and Agricultural purposes throughout the year
x Improvement in ground water level in nearby vicinity
x Links can be provided between banks of the river by providing foot bridges in the check dams
x Support for fisheries in rural area
x Support for development of flora and fauna
x No submergence of land
x Ecology will not be disturbed
x Possibility for mini hydropower projects
x Prevents entry of wild animals in to human habitat

Fig.8. Vented dams in use (a) at Nidgal; (b) at Gilikapu

632 H.C. Chinnagiri Gowda et al. / Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015) 625 – 632

4. Conclusion

From the study it can be concluded that water can be supplied in Dakshina Kannada district by increasing the
storage capacity on the upper side at higher elevations of the Nethravathi River and its tributaries to get water round
the clock which has not been utilised till date. The construction of series of check dams in the river, with the supply
of water also increases the ground water level, helpful in linking banks of the river, supports fisheries, development
of mini hydropower project, no submergence, no disturbance on ecology and development of flora and fauna all of
which is needed in the overall development of the district.

5. Scope for further Study

A detailed study is needed about the dimensions all along the Nethravathi River and its tributaries, suitable
locations for check dams are to be ascertained and the quantity of water that can be stored must be further studied.

References
Website : https://www.google.com/maps
Website : https://earth.google.com/
Interlinking of West Flowing Rivers : Report by WRDO (Water Recourse Development Organisation), Bangalore
Dakshina Kannada District Website : http://www.dk.nic.in/
Water Resources Development Organisation Website : http://waterresources.kar.nic.in/wrdo.htm
Hydromet Division, New Delhi, India, Meteorological Department Website : http://www.imd.gov.in/section/hydro/distrainfall
/webrain/karnataka/dakshinkannada.txt