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{{short description|River in southern India}}
{{Other uses}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2013}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Kaveri
| name_other = Cauvery
| name_etymology =


| image = Kaveri at Shrirangapatnam.JPG
| image_size =
| image_caption = Kaveri river flowing in [[Srirangapatna]]
| map_size =
| map = River Cauvery EN.png
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=

| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[India]]
| subdivision_type2 = States
| subdivision_name2 = [[Karnataka]], [[Tamil Nadu]],[[Kerala]], [[Puducherry]]
| subdivision_type3 = Region
| subdivision_name3 = [[South India]]
| subdivision_type4 = Origin
| subdivision_name4 = [[Kodagu]], [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =

| length = {{convert|805|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="cwcdb2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.cwc.nic.in/main/downloads/IHD2015_final.pdf|title=INTEGRATED HYDROLOGICAL DATA BOOK|publisher=Central Water Commission, India|page=92|access-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402104009/http://www.cwc.nic.in/main/downloads/IHD2015_final.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|677|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max =
| discharge2_location= [[Grand Anicut]] (South)<ref>{{cite web| title = Gauging Station - Data Summary| publisher = RivDis| url = http://daac.ornl.gov/rivdis/STATIONS/TEXT/INDIA/1263/SUMMARY.HTML| access-date = 1 October 2013| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215927/http://daac.ornl.gov/rivdis/STATIONS/TEXT/INDIA/1263/SUMMARY.HTML| archive-date = 4 October 2013| df = dmy-all}}</ref>
| discharge2_min =
| discharge2_avg = {{convert|400.716|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge2_max =

| source1 = [[Talakaveri]], [[Kodagu]], [[Western Ghats]], [[Karnataka]]
| source1_location = [[Karnataka]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|12|23|N|75|29|E|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|1341|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = [[Bay of Bengal]]
| mouth_location = [[Poompuhar]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|11|21|40|N|79|49|46|E|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|81155|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left = [[Harangi Reservoir|Harangi]], [[Hemavati River|Hemavati]], [[Shimsha]], [[Arkavathy]]
| tributaries_right = [[Lakshmana Tirtha]], [[Kabini]], [[Bhavani river|Bhavani]], [[Noyyal]], [[Amaravati River|Amaravati]], [[Moyar River|Moyar]]
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
|map_caption=Map of the Kaveri river basin}}
[[File:Kaveri basin Map.pdf|thumb|]]
The '''Kaveri''' (also known as '''Cauvery''', the [[anglicized]] name) is one of the major Indian rivers flowing through the states of [[Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. In ancient [[Tamil literature]], it was also called ''Ponni'' (the golden maid, in reference to the fine silt it deposits).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/daughter-of-ponni/|title=Daughter of Ponni|date=27 April 2014|publisher=indianexpress|access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/02/08/cauvery-chronicles-ii-ponnis-perish|title=Cauvery Chronicles II: Ponni's Perish|publisher=newslaundry|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/opinion/the-death-of-a-river-357460|title=The death of a river|date=11 June 2019|publisher=millenniumpost|access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> The Kaveri river rises at [[Talakaveri]] in the [[Brahmagiri (hill), Karnataka|Brahmagiri]] range in the [[Western Ghats]], [[Kodagu district]] of the state of Karnataka, at an elevation of 1,341 m above mean sea level and flows for about 800 km before its outfall into the [[Bay of Bengal]]. It reaches the sea in [[Puhar, Mayiladuthurai|Poompuhar]] in [[Mayiladuthurai district|Mayiladuthurai]] district. It is the third largest river {{en dash}} after [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] {{en dash}} in [[South India|southern India]], and the largest in the State of Tamil Nadu, which, on its course, bisects the state into north and south.

The Kaveri is a sacred river to the people of South India and is worshipped as the Goddess Kaveriamma. It is considered to be among the seven holy rivers of India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cauvery basin: its culture, places of historical significance, birth place, climate, precipitation, catchment, tributaries, state-wise spread, landuse|url=https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/cauvery-basin-its-culture-places-historical-significance-birth-place-climate-precipitation|website=www.indiawaterportal.org|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> It is extensively used for agriculture in both of the afore mentioned states. The etymology of the river was derived from the [[Sankethi dialect|Sankheti]] word for "river", காவிரி ಕಾವೇರಿ (kāvēri), as this is the major river for the [[Sankethi people]] that live along its waters.

The catchment area of the Kaveri basin is estimated to be {{convert|81155|km2|mi2}} with many tributaries including [[Harangi Reservoir|Harangi]], [[Hemavati River|Hemavati]], [[Kabini]], [[Bhavani River|Bhavani]], [[Lakshmana Tirtha]], [[Noyyal]] and [[Arkavati]]. The river basin covers three states and a Union Territory as follows: Tamil Nadu, {{convert|43868|km2|mi2}}; Karnataka, {{convert|34273|km2|mi2}}; [[Kerala]], {{convert|2866|km2|mi2}}, and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], {{convert|148|km2|mi2}}.<ref name="cwc databook">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/integrated-hydrological-data-non-classified-river-basins-cwc-mowr-2012.pdf |title=INTEGRATED HYDROLOGICAL DATA BOOK|access-date=6 September 2012}}</ref> In [[Chamarajanagar district]] it forms the island of [[Shivanasamudra]], on either side of which are the scenic [[Shivanasamudra Falls]] that descend about {{convert|100|m|ft}}.<ref name="waterfall">{{cite web|url=http://www.world-waterfalls.com/waterfall.php?num=149|title=World Waterfall Database|access-date=9 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114204057/http://www.world-waterfalls.com/waterfall.php?num=149|archive-date=14 November 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> The river is the source for an extensive [[irrigation system]] and for [[hydroelectric power]].<ref name="cauvery">{{cite web|url=http://www.cauvery.com/shivasamudram.html|title=Shivasamudram Falls|publisher=cauvery.com|access-date=11 November 2006}}</ref> The river has supported irrigated agriculture for centuries and served as the lifeblood of the ancient kingdoms and modern cities of [[South India|southern India]]. Access to the river's waters has pitted [[States and union territories of India|Indian states]] against each other for decades. It was profusely described in the Tamil Sangam literature and is held in great reverence in Hinduism. The Kaveri river delta is a thickly populated delta, one which is frequently affected by tropical cyclones formed in the Bay of Bengal.

== Course ==
After the river leaves the [[Kodagu]] hills and flows onto the Deccan plateau, it forms two islands in [[Mandya]] district's [[Srirangapatna]] and [[Shivanasamudra]]. First comes the Srirangapatna, which forms the [[confluence|sangam]], and then comes Shivanasamudra. At Shivanasamudra the river drops {{convert|320|ft|m|order=flip}}, forming the famous [[Shivanasamudra Falls]] known separately as ''Gagana Chukki'' and ''Bhara Chukki''.<ref>The Cauvery Trail : [http://paru.in/the-cauvery-trail Kaveri has many religious and tourism spots between KRS and Mettur ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702150826/http://paru.in/the-cauvery-trail |date=2 July 2014 }}</ref> Asia's first [[hydroelectric]] plant (built in 1902) was on the left falls and supplied power to the city of [[Bangalore]].

In its course through Karnataka, the channel is interrupted by 12 "anekattu" (dams) for the purpose of irrigation. From the Anaikattu at Madadkatte, an artificial channel is diverted at a distance of {{convert|72|mi|km|order=flip}}, irrigating an area of {{convert|10000|acre|ha|order=flip}}, and ultimately bringing its [[water supply]] to the town of Mandya.

3 km away from Srirangapatna, the Kaveri is the basis for the [[Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary]]. Near Srirangapatna is also an [[aqueduct (bridge)|aqueduct]], the Bangara Doddi Nala, which was constructed in the 17th century by the [[Wodeyar]] [[maharaja of Mysore]], Ranadhira Kantirava, in memory of his favourite consort. This aqueduct also served as a motorable bridge until 1964.The Kabini River tributary of Kaveri joins Kaveri at Tirumakudal Narasipura where triveni [[confluence|sangama]] takes place along with mythological river Spatika. The [[Moyar River]] is an east flowing river that originates in the Mudumalai, Bandipur, and Wayanad National Parks draining the [[Nilgiri mountains|Nilgiri Hills]] in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and is one of the tributaries to the Kaveri River.

The river enters Tamil Nadu through [[Dharmapuri district]] leading to the flat plains where it meanders. It drops into the [[Hogenakkal Falls]] just before it arrives in the town of [[Hogenakkal (village)|Hogenakkal]] in Tamil Nadu. The three minor tributaries, Palar, Chinnar and Thoppar enter into the Kaveri on her course, above [[Stanley Reservoir]] in [[Mettur]], where the dam has been constructed. It then flows further through the length of Erode district where the river Bhavani, running through the breadth of the district, merges with it. The confluence of the rivers Kaveri, Bhavani and Akash Ganga (mythological) is at the exact place of [[Bhavani, Tamil Nadu]] Kooduthurai or Tiriveni Sangamam, Northern part of Erode City.

While passing through [[Erode]], two more tributaries merge. Thirumani Mutharu joins it in a village called Kududurai in [[Namakkal district|Namakkal District]]. Noyyal and Amaravathi join it in [[Karur district]] and reaches [[Mayanur (Tamil Nadu)|Mayanur Dam]], about 20 km east of Karur city. Here the river becomes wide, with a sandy bed, and flows in an eastern direction to enter [[Tiruchirappalli district]] It splits into two at upper Anicut about {{convert|14|km|mi|0}} west of Tiruchirappalli. The northern branch of the river is called the [[Kollidam]] at [[Ariyalur District]] while the southern branch retains the name Kaveri and then goes directly eastwards into [[Thanjavur District]]. These two rivers join again and form the [[Srirangam]] island that is a part of the city of [[Tiruchirapalli]]. The oldest functional dam<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.water-technology.net/features/feature-the-worlds-oldest-dams-still-in-use/|title = The world's oldest dams still in use}}</ref> [[Grand Anicut]] or Kallanai was present at this place. From Thanjavur, the river splits and goes to few places in the Delta Kaveri.

=== Tributaries ===
[[File:Mekedatu.webm|thumb|Kaveri river flowing at [[Mekedatu]]]]
* [[Harangi Reservoir|Harangi River]]
* [[Hemavati River]]
* [[Lakshmana Tirtha]]
* [[Amaravathi River]]
* [[Bhavani River]]
* [[Kabini River]]
* [[Noyyal River]]
* [[Arkavathi River]]
* [[Shimsha River]]
* [[Manimuttharu River]]

==Irrigation==
The primary uses of the Kaveri is providing water for irrigation, water for household consumption and the generation of electricity. 

An estimate at the time of the first [[Five-year plans of India|Five Year Plan]] puts the total flow of the Kaveri at {{convert|12000000|acre.ft|km3|order=flip}}, of which 60% was used for irrigation.
<ref>{{cite web | url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/1st/1planch26.html | title=Chapter 26: Irrigation and power | work=1st Five Year Plan | publisher=Planning Commission, Government of India | access-date=1 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328061837/http://www.planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/1st/1planch26.html | archive-date=28 March 2019 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Torekadanahalli pumpstation sends {{convert|540|e6l|cuft}} per day of water from the Kaveri {{convert|100|km|mi}} to Bangalore.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinchme.com/|title=PINCHme: Try products from leading brands for FREE!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tce.co.in/infra/watersupply/bangalore.pdf#search=%22halli%20pipeline%20Bangalore%22 |title=Archived copy |website=www.tce.co.in |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320070821/http://www.tce.co.in/infra/watersupply/bangalore.pdf#search=%22halli%20pipeline%20Bangalore%22 |archive-date=20 March 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Water Catchment Area of Stanley reservoir.jpg|240 px|thumb|[[Stanley Reservoir]] formed by [[Mettur Dam]], the largest dam in Tamil Nadu]]

The hydroelectric plant built on the left of Sivanasamudra Falls on the Kaveri in 1902 was the first hydroelectric plant in Asia.<ref name="waterfall"/>

The [[Krishna Raja Sagara]] Dam has a capacity of 49 tmc ft.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/26/stories/2006032614180300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029044318/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/26/stories/2006032614180300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 October 2006 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Corporation urged to chalk out water policy for Mysore city | date=26 March 2006}}</ref> and the Mettur Dam which creates Stanley Reservoir has a capacity of 93.4 [[tmc ft.]] (thousand million cubic ft)

In August 2003, inflow into reservoirs in Karnataka was at a 29-year low, with a 58% shortfall.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|title=Cauvery reservoirs' inflow hits record low|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/aug03/i3.asp|access-date=18 March 2011|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=2 August 2003|location=Bangalore|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406020549/http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/aug03/i3.asp|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Water stored in Krishna Raja Sagara amounted to only 4.6 tmc ft.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

In February 2020, Tamil Nadu assembly passed bill to declare Cauvery Delta as Protected Agricultural Zone, includes Thanjavur, Thirvarur, Nagapattinam and five blocks in Cuddalore and Pudukottai. The bill fails to include Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur and Karur which are geographically included in the Cauvery Delta.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/02/20/tn-assembly-passes-bill-to-declare-cauvery-delta-as-protected-ag.html|title=TN assembly passes bill to declare Cauvery Delta as Protected Agricultural Zone}}</ref>

== Water sharing ==
{{further|Kaveri River water dispute}}
As per an order by the Indian Supreme Court on 16 February 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2007/11993/11993_2007_Judgement_16-Feb-2018.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417132747/http://sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2007/11993/11993_2007_Judgement_16-Feb-2018.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Karnataka will get 284.75 [[Tmcft|tmc ft]], Tamil Nadu will get 404.25 tmc ft, Kerala will get 30 tmc ft and Puducherry will get 7 tmc ft, 10 tmc ft will be reserved for Environmental Protection and 4 tmc ft will be reserved for Inevitable Wastage into the Sea.<ref>{{cite web|title=Judgement Copy- SC verdict on Cauvery water dispute|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/371641630/SC-verdict-on-Cauvery-water-dispute-The-Indian-Express#from_embed|website=Scribd}}</ref>

== Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) 2018 ==
Acting on the Supreme Court's direction, the Centre constituted a Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on 1 June 2018 to address the dispute over sharing of river water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mowr.gov.in/acts-tribunals/acts/cauvery-water-management-authority-cwma|title=Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018|website=Department of Water Resources, RD & GR}}</ref> The central government failed to adhere with the top court's deadline of within six weeks of deliverance of judgement.

On 16 February 2018, the apex court had directed the government to form the CWMA within six weeks in a verdict that marginally increased Karnataka's share of Cauvery water, reduced the allocation for Tamil Nadu and sought to settle the protracted water dispute between the two states.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-reduces-allocation-of-cauvery-water-to-tamil-nadu/article22771422.ece|title=Supreme Court curtails Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water|last=Rajagopal|first=Krishnadas|date=2018-02-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-12-02|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

On 22 June 2018, despite opposition from Karnataka, the Central government constituted the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) as per the provisions in the Kaveri Management Scheme laid down by the Supreme Court.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/centre-forms-9-member-cauvery-water-regulation-committee-despite-k-taka-s-opposition-83567|title=Cauvery dispute|website=www.thenewsminute.com|date=23 June 2018|access-date=2019-12-02}}</ref>

Central Water Commission chairman S. Masood Hussain will head the CWMA and chief engineer of the Central Water Commission Navin Kumar will be the first chairman of the CWRC. While the CWMA is an umbrella body, the CWRC will monitor water management on a day-to-day basis, including the water level and inflow and outflow of reservoirs in all the basin states.<ref name=":0" />

== Kaveri Crater ==
'''Kaveri Crater''' is an area identified by scientists in [[India]] which appears to have been created by an [[asteroid impact]] that occurred around 800 to 550 million years ago. The area lying between [[Nilgiris]] and [[Kodaikanal]] is in the southern [[peninsular India]]. A study indicated that the Kaveri crater has a diameter of 120 kilometres. Because of the size of the crater, Kaveri crater can only be visualized through satellite images. The crater is the fourth largest crater in the world.
[[File:Kaveri Crater visualization.png|thumb|upright=1.8|The crater (red circle) surrounded by hills within the Deccan peninsula]]
The region to the east of [[Palghat gap]] is of low elevation and nearly circular in shape. It forms a part of the [[Kaveri River|Kaveri river]] basin. The predominantly [[Gneiss|gneissic]] terrain is surrounded by the [[Charnockite|charnockitic]] hill ranges, prominent among which are Nilgiris and [[Biligiriranga Hills]] to the north; and [[Anaimalai]] and Kodaikanal to the south. The charnockite [[massifs]] have a steep slope facing the circular feature and a gentler slope in the opposite direction. Fractures, faults and shear zones are noticed in many parts. The [[Bouguer anomaly]] in the gneissic terrain is elliptical in shape and positive, relative to the surrounding elevated region. The magnetic contours are also elliptical and the magnetic basement is deeper by about one kilometer compared with regions in the periphery. The shallow [[seismic velocity]] picture from [[Chennimalai]] to [[Palani]] indicates a [[graben]] structure. The velocity structure also depicts a 4-5 kilometer [[Mohorovičić discontinuity|Moho up-warp]] near Chennimalai. Junction between the gneissic and charnockitic terrain and even beyond is marked by the presence of [[Pseudotachylyte|pseudotachylites]] and [[breccia]]. Field and [[Petrography|petrographic]] studies indicate presence of [[suevite]], [[planar deformation features]] (PDF), [[Planar fracture|planar fractures]], diaplectic glass of [[quartz]] and [[plagioclase]] and spherical inclusion in suevite. These evidences taken together point to an extraterrestrial impact that created a crater of approximately 120 kilometer in diameter. Several lines of indirect evidences point to [[Neoproterozoic]] age for the impact.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/did-an-asteroid-hit-south-india-millions-of-years-ago/article26039498.ece|title=Did an asteroid hit south India millions of years ago?|first=R. Krishna|last=Kumar|date=19 January 2019|website=Thehindu.com|accessdate=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320245531|title=Kaveri Crater – An Impact Structure in the Precambrian Terrain of Southern India|website=ResearchGate.net|accessdate=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Kaveri crater â€" an impact structure in the recambrian terrain of Southern India|first1=K. R.|last1=Subrahmanya|first2=K. N.|last2=Prakash Narasimha|date=1 October 2017|journal=Journal of the Geological Society of India|volume=90|pages=387–395|doi = 10.1007/s12594-017-0733-5}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of rivers of India]]
* [[Kaveri Pushkaram]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kaveri}}
* [http://www.cauvery.com/ Cauvery] Presentation on the Cavery River
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180802173410/http://www.kaveripushkaram.in/ Kaveri Pushkaralu]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180924112102/http://cauverypushkaram.info/ Kaveri Pushkaram 2017]

{{Kaveri River}}
{{India Rivers}}
{{Hydrology of Karnataka|state=collapsed}}
{{Hydrography of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Waters of South Asia}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kaveri River| ]]
[[Category:Rivers of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rivers of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Ancient Indian rivers]]
[[Category:Sacred rivers]]
[[Category:Coromandel Coast]]
[[Category:Rivers of India]]
[[Category:Rivers in Buddhism]]

Kaveri - Revision history

Moin Khan: update

WikiDwarfBOT: Cleanup: Source modification. Information added.

ImportMaster at 13:57, 3 May 2022