Uttarakhand - Department of Land Resources

WATER REGIME
The predominantly hilly State of Uttarakhand has a varied hydrogeological setup and
can be divided broadly into two distinct hydrogeological regimes viz. the Gangetic
alluvial plain and the Himalayan mountain belt. The former is covered with a vast
expanse of alluvium and unconsolidated sedimentary material of varying size fractions
(ranging from boulder to clay) and is a promising zone for ground water development.
The latter zone, being predominantly hilly, offers much less potential for large scale
development of ground water. Ground water in the hilly region occurs mostly in
fissures/fractures and emerges as springs. The springs are amenable to small scale
development of ground water resources in the State. The yield of tube wells in Shiwalik
formation ranges from 50.4 m 3 /hr to 79.2 m 3 /hr, in Bhabar formations yield is upto 332.4
m 3 /hr. In Tarai belt yield of tubewell ranges 36m 3 /hr to 144 m 3 /hr and in Indo-Gangetic
plains yield varies from 90 m 3 /hr to 198 m 3 /hr.
Major River Basins and Sub Basins
The main drainage system of Uttarakhand have been grouped into following six
catchments (MAP-4-State Map showing major Rivers and Drainage Systems):
Yamuna Catchment - The Yamuna river originates from the base of Bandarpunch
peak. It has carved a deep V- shaped gorge. The Yamuna cuts across the Nag Tibba
range and Mussoorie range near a place called Yamuna bridge. The rivers Tons, Pabar
and Aglar are its important tributaries. It passes through the Doon valley on its Western
boundary.
Bhagirathi Catchment – This is one of the two rivers which join to form the river
Ganga. It originates from the snout of the Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh which is at the
base of Chaukhamba peak. The Bhagirathi river has cut a deep gorge across the
granitic rocks of the higher Himalayas of Garhwal. Its main tributaries are the river
Janhavi and the Bhilangana.
Alaknanada Catchment - This river joins the river Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the
river Ganga. It originates from the eastern slopes of Chaukhamba – from the Bhagirathi
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