Arkavathi River
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The Arkavathi River is a vital tributary of the Cauvery River, originating from the Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur District, Karnataka. It flows southward for about 190 km, passing through Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, and Mandya districts, and merges with the Cauvery at Sangama near Mekedatu.
- Origin: Nandi Hills (Elevation: ~1,478 m)
- Length: ~190 km
- Mouth: Sangama, Mekedatu (Confluence with Cauvery at ~440 m elevation)
Major Tributaries:
Right: Kumudavathi
- Key Features: Forms Chunchi Falls near Haroshivanahalli
Challenges:
- Over-extraction: Intensive borewell drilling in granite terrain causes water to bypass shallow aquifers, leading to falling water tables.
Pollution:
Vrishabhavathi tributary carries untreated sewage and industrial effluents.- Heavy metal contamination: Mercury, DDT, PAH in T.G. Halli Reservoir
- Siltation & Drying: Hesaraghatta and T.G. Halli reservoirs have lost storage capacity
- Groundwater Crisis: Deepening water table, failed borewells, poor recharge in Aralumallige & Doddathumakuru areas
- Governance Issues: Gram panchayats face rising debt due to free electricity and infrastructure costs; lack of water education and data
Key Concern:
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Without sustainable water management, crop diversification, and recharge measures, the groundwater and surface water systems of Arkavathi basin face irreversible depletion within the next few years.