Rivers of Kerala

Study of rivers called Potamology.
River- A stream longer than 15km.
There are 44 rivers in Kerala.
There're 34 lakes in Kerala.

Periyar ;------------
The longest is the river Periyar (244 km), [Choorni, Poorna, Aluvapuzha, Kaladipuzha]- called the lifeline of Kerala. The river originates from Sivagiri hills, (Sahya mountains) flows through Idduki & Ernakulam districts.
The River bears maximum no of dams & hydroelectric projects.

Muthira puzha- largest tributary of Periyar. The 1st hydroelectric project Pallivazal is in Muthira puzha.
Mullayar- 1st tributary to join Periyar.
Mullaperiyar dam- 1st dam in Kerala built at Thekkadi, Idduki.
It is built at the joining of Periyar & 1st tributary Mullayar.
Dam construction started in 1887,(Made with Surki) commissioned in 1895.
Chief Architect-John Pennycuick.
John Pennycuick memorial at Theni(TN).
Periyar lease agreement signed by- V Ramayyankar(Divan of Travancore) & JC Hanington(State Secretary of Madras).
The Agreement renewed in 1970 by C Achuthamenon Ministry.

Mattupetty Dam- 1st concrete dam of Kerala across Periyar.
Malayattoor church sits near Periyar.
Periyar divides as 2 at Aluva - Mangala puzha & Marthandan puzha.
Periyar supplemented by muthira puzha, mullayar, cheruthony arr, perumthurarr, perinchan kuttiyarr.

Idduki project comprises 3 dams- Idduki, Kulamavu & Cheruthoni.
Idduki dam built b/w granite hills Kuravan & Kurathimala. Tribal leader Chemban Karuvellayan Kolumban suggested the spot. His memorial is at Cheruthoni.
Cheruthoni- largest & highest gravity dam in Kerala.
Moolamattom-biggest underground power station in India.

Bharatapuzha (Nila);-----------
2nd longest (209km) sourced at Anamala,T.Nadu.
Called 'the Nile of Kerala'.
Flows through Palakkad, Thrissur, Malappuram.
Mini Pamba project.
Ezuthacahan called her 'Sokanashini'.
Thootha puzha- main tributary. Other tributaries are Gayathri, Kalpathi, Kannadi rivers.
Dams at Bharata puzha- Malampuzha dam(biggest in Kerala), Valayar dam, Mangalam dam, Pothundi dam.
Malampuzha- longest reservoir in Kerala & 1st rock garden at Kerala (Architect- Neck Chand).
Kanayi Kunjiraman's Yakshi at Malampuzha garden(Kerala 'Vrindhavan')

River Pamba ;--------------
Old name 'Baris'. Pamba river joins Vembanatu kayal.
Sabarimala situatedon its banks.
Maramath convention is conducted on pamba outsands.
Aranmula boat race.
Main tributaries are Manimalayar & Achankovilar.
Poonthenaruvi waterfalls (pathanamthitta), the only one in pamba river.
Dams on pamba- Sabarigiri, Kakkad, Kakki dams.

English channel of Kerala- Mayyazhi river.
Kottayam situated on the banks of Meenachilarr.
Largest lake in Kerala- Vembanatu kayal.
Largest freshwater lake in Kerala- Sasthamkota lake.
River flowing East- Pampar

Chalakudypuzha ;-----------
The tourist attraction are Athirappilly, Vazhachal waterfalls.
The most biologically diverse river in Kerala.
Dams in the river - Sholayar, Thuvallakadavu, Peringalkuthu.
River flows through Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary.

Kalladayar;-------------
The river bears Kerala's biggest irrigation project.
Tourist attraction, Palaruvi.
Hanging bridge at Punalur.

River Kabani ;----------
Originates at Thondarrmudy, Wayanad.
Nagarhol national garden situated on its banks.

Chaliyar ;--------
Originates at Nilagiri hills.