Sharavati - Revision history

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2026-02-27T16:45:55Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 27 February 2026
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	\| subdivision_name4 =		\| subdivision_name4 =
	\| subdivision_type5 = Cities		\| subdivision_type5 = Cities
	\| subdivision_name5 = [[~~Siddapura~~, ~~Uttara Kannada~~\|~~Siddapura~~]] , [[~~Sagara, Karnataka\|Sagar~~]], [[~~Honnavar~~]]		\| subdivision_name5 =[[Sagara, Karnataka\|Sagar]], [[Honnavar]] ,[[Hosanagara]]
	<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->		<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
	\| ~~length~~ = ~~{{convert\|~~128~~\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}}~~		\| length_km = 128
	\| width_min =		\| width_min =
	\| width_avg =		\| width_avg =
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	\| source1_coordinates= {{coord\|13\|47\|33\|N\|75\|10\|35\|E\|display=inline}}		\| source1_coordinates= {{coord\|13\|47\|33\|N\|75\|10\|35\|E\|display=inline}}
	\| source1_elevation = {{convert\|730\|m\|abbr=on}}		\| source1_elevation = {{convert\|730\|m\|abbr=on}}
	\| mouth = [[~~Arabian~~ Sea]]		\| mouth = [[Laccadive Sea]]
	\| mouth_location = [[Honnavar]], [[Uttara Kannada]], [[Karnataka]]		\| mouth_location = [[Honnavar]], [[Uttara Kannada]], [[Karnataka]]
	\| mouth_coordinates = {{coord\|14\|17\|57\|N\|74\|25\|25\|E\|display=inline,title}}		\| mouth_coordinates = {{coord\|14\|17\|57\|N\|74\|25\|25\|E\|display=inline,title}}
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	\| progression =		\| progression =
	\| river_system =		\| river_system =
	\| ~~basin_size~~ = ~~{{convert\|~~2985~~\|km2\|abbr=on}}~~		\| basin_size_km2 = 2985
	\| tributaries_left =		\| tributaries_left =
	\| tributaries_right =		\| tributaries_right =
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	}}		}}

	'''~~Sharavati~~''' is a [[river]] which originates and flows entirely within the state of [[Karnataka]] in [[India]]. It is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and a major part of the river basin lies in the [[Western Ghats]]. The famous [[Jog Falls]], located ~~about 25 km from~~ [[~~Siddapura~~, ~~Uttara Kannada~~\|~~Siddapura~~]], ~~are~~ formed by this river. The river itself and the ~~region~~ around it are rich in [[biodiversity]] and are home to many rare species of flora and fauna.		'''Sharāvati''' is a [[river]] which originates and flows entirely within the state of [[Karnataka]] in [[India]]. It is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and a major part of the river basin lies in the [[Western Ghats]]. The famous [[Jog Falls]], located in [[Sagar, Karnataka\|Sagar]], is formed by this river. The river itself and the regions around it are rich in [[biodiversity]] and are home to many rare species of flora and fauna.

	==Origin and topography==		==Origin and topography==
	[[File:Sharavathi River Karnataka India.jpg\|thumb\|left~~\|280px~~\|Sharavati River]]		[[File:Sharavathi River Karnataka India.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Sharavati River]]
	The river Sharavati originates at a place called [[Ambutheertha]] in the [[Thirthahalli]] taluk. According to ancient legend, ~~the~~ [[~~god~~ Rama]] shot at the ground with his Ambu (translates to bow and arrow) because his wife, [[Sita]], was thirsty. When his arrow hit the ground, water poured out (translates to Thirtha) and quenched her thirst. Because the river, according to the legend, originated with this event, the river is called "Sharavati" as "Shara" translates to arrow.<ref>A brief description of Ambutheertha is provided by {{cite web\|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/dec072004/middle.asp\|title=Malnad splendour\|author=Padma Ramachandran\|work=Deccan Herald \|date=2004-07-12 \|access-date=2007-05-21}}</ref>		The river Sharavati originates at a place called [[Ambutheertha]] in the [[Thirthahalli]] taluk. According to ancient legend, [[Rama]], one of the major deities in Hinduism, shot at the ground with his Ambu (translates to bow and arrow) because his wife, [[Sita]], was thirsty. When his arrow hit the ground, water poured out (translates to Thirtha) and quenched her thirst. Because the river, according to the legend, originated with this event, the river is called "Sharavati" as "Shara" translates to arrow.<ref>A brief description of Ambutheertha is provided by {{cite web\|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/dec072004/middle.asp\|title=Malnad splendour\|author=Padma Ramachandran\|work=Deccan Herald \|date=2004-07-12 \|access-date=2007-05-21}}</ref>

	The total length of the river is around {{convert\|128\|km\|0\|abbr=on}} and it joins the [[Arabian Sea]] at [[Honnavar]] in [[Uttara Kannada]] district.<ref name="paper">A detailed study on the Sharavati river is made by {{cite web\|author=Saira Varghese Kidangan\|url=http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/5050.pdf\|title=Quantification of Hydrological responses to landuse changes using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques\|work=Online webpage of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, National Remote Sensing Agency\|publisher=Dept. of Space, Government of India\|access-date=2007-05-21\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008215415/http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/5050.pdf\|archive-date=2007-10-08}}</ref> On its way, the Sharavati forms the [[Jog Falls]] where the river falls from a height of 253 m. The river is dammed at [[Linganamakki]]; the portion of the river above the dam is upstream and the remaining is downstream. The major tributaries of the river are Nandihole, Haridravathi, Mavinahole, Hilkunji, Yennehole, Hurlihole, and Nagodihole.<ref name="paper" /> Sharavati river basin falls into two districts of [[Karnataka]] namely [[Uttara Kannada]] and [[Shimoga district\|Shimoga]]. The upstream river basin is extended to two taluks i.e, [[Hosanagar]] and [[Sagara, Karnataka\|Sagar]]. The entire basin has an area of {{convert\|2985.66\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} with upstream being {{convert\|1988.99\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} and the downstream being {{convert\|996.67\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}.<ref name="paper" />		The total length of the river is around {{convert\|128\|km\|0\|abbr=on}} and it joins the [[Arabian Sea]] at [[Honnavar]] in [[Uttara Kannada]] district.<ref name="paper">A detailed study on the Sharavati river is made by {{cite web\|author=Saira Varghese Kidangan\|url=http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/5050.pdf\|title=Quantification of Hydrological responses to landuse changes using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques\|work=Online webpage of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, National Remote Sensing Agency\|publisher=Dept. of Space, Government of India\|access-date=2007-05-21\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008215415/http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/5050.pdf\|archive-date=2007-10-08}}</ref> On its way, the Sharavati forms the [[Jog Falls]] where the river falls from a height of 253 m. The river is dammed at [[Linganamakki]]; the portion of the river above the dam is upstream and the remaining is downstream. The major tributaries of the river are Nandihole, Haridravathi, Mavinahole, Hilkunji, Yennehole, Hurlihole, and Nagodihole.<ref name="paper" /> Sharavati river basin falls into two districts of [[Karnataka]] namely [[Uttara Kannada]] and [[Shimoga district\|Shimoga]]. The upstream river basin is extended to two taluks i.e., [[Hosanagar]] and [[Sagara, Karnataka\|Sagar]]. The entire basin has an area of {{convert\|2985.66\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} with upstream being {{convert\|1988.99\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} and the downstream being {{convert\|996.67\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}.<ref name="paper" />

	==Geology==		==Geology==
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	===Rainfall===		===Rainfall===
	With a major part of the river lying in the [[Western Ghats]], the Sharavati river basin receives a large amount of rainfall. Mean annual rainfall ranges from 6000 mm in the western side to 1700 mm in the eastern side of the basin. About 95% of the rainfall is received during the month of June to September (July being the rainiest) when the southwest monsoon is at its peak.<ref name="paper" /> There is some rainfall in the post [[monsoon]] season in the form of thundershowers mostly during October and some rainfall also occurs during the summer months of April and May.<ref name="paper" />		With a major part of the river lying in the Sahyadri mountains ([[Western Ghats]]), the Sharavati river basin receives a large amount of rainfall. Mean annual rainfall ranges from 6000 mm in the western side to 1700 mm in the eastern side of the basin. About 95% of the rainfall is received during the month of June to September (July being the rainiest) when the southwest monsoon is at its peak.<ref name="paper" /> There is some rainfall in the post [[monsoon]] season in the form of thundershowers mostly during October and some rainfall also occurs during the summer months of April and May.<ref name="paper" />

	===Temperature===		===Temperature===
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	===Linganamakki dam===		===Linganamakki dam===
	<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Linganamakki dam.jpg~~\|200px\|right~~\|thumb\|The [[Linganamakki]] dam across Sharavati]] -->		<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Linganamakki dam.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Linganamakki]] dam across Sharavati]] -->
	{{main\|Linganamakki dam}}		{{main\|Linganamakki dam}}
	The [[Linganamakki]] dam located in the [[Sagara, Karnataka\|Sagar]] taluk has a length of {{convert\|2.4\|km\|0\|abbr=on}} and was constructed across the Sharavati river in 1964. It was designed to impound 4368 million cubic meter of water in an area of around {{convert\|300\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}, submerging {{convert\|50.62\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} of wetland and {{convert\|7\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} of dry land, the remaining being forest land and wasteland.<ref name="paper" /> The dam's height is {{convert\|1819\|ft\|m}} above sea level. The total capacity of the reservoir is 152 TMC (Thousand Million Cubicfeet). It has a catchment area of nearly {{convert\|1991.71\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}. It receives water mainly from rainfall and also from the ''Chakra'' and ''Savahaklu'' reservoirs, which are linked through Linganamakki through a canal. The water from Linganamakki dam flows to Talakalale Balancing Reservoir through a trapezoidal canal with a discharge capacity of 175.56 cubic metres per second. The length of this channel is about 4318.40 m with a submersion of {{convert\|7.77\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}. It has a catchment area of about {{convert\|46.60\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}. The gross capacity of the reservoir is 129.60 cu meters.<ref name="lingan">{{cite web\|url=http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/rvp/rvp_right_down_sa.htm\|title=Proceedings of National Conference on 'Control Of Industrial Pollution and Environmental Degradation', Coimbatore, September 14th and 15th 2001, pp 262-275 \|publisher=Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore\|access-date=2007-05-21}}</ref>		The [[Linganamakki]] dam located in the [[Sagara, Karnataka\|Sagar]] taluk has a length of {{convert\|2.4\|km\|0\|abbr=on}} and was constructed across the Sharavati river in 1964. It was designed to impound 4368 million cubic meter of water in an area of around {{convert\|300\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}, submerging {{convert\|50.62\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} of wetland and {{convert\|7\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}} of dry land, the remaining being forest land and wasteland.<ref name="paper" /> The dam's height is {{convert\|1819\|ft\|m}} above sea level. The total capacity of the reservoir is 152 TMC (Thousand Million Cubicfeet). It has a catchment area of nearly {{convert\|1991.71\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}. It receives water mainly from rainfall and also from the ''Chakra'' and ''Savahaklu'' reservoirs, which are linked through Linganamakki through a canal. The water from Linganamakki dam flows to Talakalale Balancing Reservoir through a trapezoidal canal with a discharge capacity of 175.56 cubic metres per second. The length of this channel is about 4318.40 m with a submersion of {{convert\|7.77\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}. It has a catchment area of about {{convert\|46.60\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}. The gross capacity of the reservoir is 129.60 cu meters.<ref name="lingan">{{cite web\|url=http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/rvp/rvp_right_down_sa.htm\|title=Proceedings of National Conference on 'Control Of Industrial Pollution and Environmental Degradation', Coimbatore, September 14th and 15th 2001, pp 262-275 \|publisher=Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore\|access-date=2007-05-21}}</ref>
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	==Flora and fauna==		==Flora and fauna==
	[[File:Lightmatter lion-tailed macaque.jpg~~\|200px~~\|thumb~~\|right~~\|The endangered [[lion-tailed macaque]] found in the Sharavati Valley wildlife sanctuary]]		[[File:Lightmatter lion-tailed macaque.jpg\|thumb\|The endangered [[lion-tailed macaque]] found in the Sharavati Valley wildlife sanctuary]]
	The Sharavati river basin is rich in [[biodiversity]]. In a survey conducted in the basin, 23 [[amphibian]]s belonging to the families of [[Bufonidae]], [[Ichthyophiidae]], [[Microhylidae]], [[Ranidae]] and [[Rhacophoridae]] were recorded. Of these, 15 species are [[Endemic (ecology)\|endemic]] to the Western Ghats. The river lends its name to the following species of fish that have been discovered in its waters:		The Sharavati river basin is rich in [[biodiversity]]. In a survey conducted in the basin, 23 [[amphibian]]s belonging to the families of [[Bufonidae]], [[Ichthyophiidae]], [[Microhylidae]], [[Ranidae]] and [[Rhacophoridae]] were recorded. Of these, 15 species are [[Endemic (ecology)\|endemic]] to the Western Ghats. The river lends its name to the following species of fish that have been discovered in its waters:

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	* ''Schistura sharavatiensis'': A fish species discovered in Sharavati river near Algod, [[Shimoga district]].<ref name="schis">Details regarding new fishes of genus Schistura found in Sharavati river is provided by {{cite journal\|url=http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/twonew_fishes/Sreekantha%20et%20al.,%202006.pdf\|author=Sreekantha, K.V.Gururaja, K.Remadevi, T.J.Indra, T.V. Ramachandra\|title=Two new fish species of the genus ''Schistura'' Mcclelland (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Western Ghats, India\|journal=Zoos' Print Journal \|volume=21 \|issue=4 \|pages=2211–2216 \|date=April 2006 \|doi=10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.1386.2211-6 \|access-date=2007-05-07}}</ref>		* ''Schistura sharavatiensis'': A fish species discovered in Sharavati river near Algod, [[Shimoga district]].<ref name="schis">Details regarding new fishes of genus Schistura found in Sharavati river is provided by {{cite journal\|url=http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/twonew_fishes/Sreekantha%20et%20al.,%202006.pdf\|author=Sreekantha, K.V.Gururaja, K.Remadevi, T.J.Indra, T.V. Ramachandra\|title=Two new fish species of the genus ''Schistura'' Mcclelland (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Western Ghats, India\|journal=Zoos' Print Journal \|volume=21 \|issue=4 \|pages=2211–2216 \|date=April 2006 \|doi=10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.1386.2211-6 \|access-date=2007-05-07}}</ref>

	In 2011, two new species of [[diatom]]s were discovered from Hirebhaskeri Dam of Sharavati River.<ref>{{cite journal\|last=Karthick\|first=B\|author2=Kociolek J P \|title=Four new centric diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Western Ghats, South India\|journal=Phytotaxa\|date=11 April 2011\|volume=22\|pages=25–40\|doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.22.1.2\|url=http://karthickbala.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1_Karthick-Kociolek-2011-4-new-centric-diatoms-from-Western-Ghats.pdf}}</ref>		In 2011, two new species of [[diatom]]s were discovered from Hirebhaskeri Dam of Sharavati River.<ref>{{cite journal\|last=Karthick\|first=B\|author2=Kociolek J P\|title=Four new centric diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Western Ghats, South India\|journal=Phytotaxa\|date=11 April 2011\|volume=22\|pages=25–40\|doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.22.1.2\|url=http://karthickbala.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1_Karthick-Kociolek-2011-4-new-centric-diatoms-from-Western-Ghats.pdf\|archive-date=21 October 2012\|access-date=20 August 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021144546/http://karthickbala.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1_Karthick-Kociolek-2011-4-new-centric-diatoms-from-Western-Ghats.pdf\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	=== Sharavati Valley Wildlife Sanctuary ===		=== Sharavati Valley Wildlife Sanctuary ===
	[[File:Sharavathi Valley.jpg~~\|right~~\|thumb\|View of Sharavati Valley]]		[[File:Sharavathi Valley.jpg\|thumb\|View of Sharavati Valley]]

	A part of the Sharavati river basin was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 20 April 1972.<ref name="book">A Walk on the Wild Side, An Information Guide to National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka, Compiled and Edited by Dr. Nima Manjrekar, Karnataka Forest Department, Wildlife Wing, October 2000</ref> Spread over an area of {{convert\|431.23\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}, it has dense [[evergreen]] and semi-evergreen forests. Linganamakki reservoir, with an area of {{convert\|128.7\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}, is a part of this sanctuary. The remaining area has been divided into core zone (74.33 km<sup>2</sup>.), [[buffer zone]] (170.67 km<sup>2</sup>) and tourism zone (57.53 km<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="book" /> The altitude in the sanctuary varies from 94 m to 1102 m, the highest point being Devarakonda on the southern edge of the sanctuary. Temperatures range from 15° to 38 °C and the mean annual rainfall is 4500 mm.<ref name="book" />		A part of the Sharavati river basin was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 20 April 1972.<ref name="book">A Walk on the Wild Side, An Information Guide to National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka, Compiled and Edited by Dr. Nima Manjrekar, Karnataka Forest Department, Wildlife Wing, October 2000</ref> Spread over an area of {{convert\|431.23\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}, it has dense [[evergreen]] and semi-evergreen forests. Linganamakki reservoir, with an area of {{convert\|128.7\|km2\|0\|abbr=on}}, is a part of this sanctuary. The remaining area has been divided into core zone (74.33 km<sup>2</sup>.), [[buffer zone]] (170.67 km<sup>2</sup>) and tourism zone (57.53 km<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="book" /> The altitude in the sanctuary varies from 94 m to 1102 m, the highest point being Devarakonda on the southern edge of the sanctuary. Temperatures range from 15° to 38 °C and the mean annual rainfall is 4500 mm.<ref name="book" />

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-08-23T05:14:53Z

Created a new article

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{{Short description|River in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Sharavati
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| name_other = Sharavati River
| name_etymology =

| image = Mighty_Jog.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_caption = [[Jog Falls]] formed by the Sharavati river.
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=

| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[India]]
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 = Cities
| subdivision_name5 = [[Siddapura, Uttara Kannada|Siddapura]] , [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]], [[Honnavar]]

| length = {{convert|128|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location= [[Honnavar]]
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg =
| discharge1_max =

| source1 = [[Ambutheertha]]
| source1_location = [[Thirthahalli]] Taluk, [[Shimoga district|Shimoga]], [[Karnataka]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|13|47|33|N|75|10|35|E|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|730|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = [[Arabian Sea]]
| mouth_location = [[Honnavar]], [[Uttara Kannada]], [[Karnataka]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|14|17|57|N|74|25|25|E|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|ft|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|2985|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}

'''Sharavati''' is a [[river]] which originates and flows entirely within the state of [[Karnataka]] in [[India]]. It is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and a major part of the river basin lies in the [[Western Ghats]]. The famous [[Jog Falls]], located about 25 km from [[Siddapura, Uttara Kannada|Siddapura]], are formed by this river. The river itself and the region around it are rich in [[biodiversity]] and are home to many rare species of flora and fauna.

==Origin and topography==
[[File:Sharavathi River Karnataka India.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Sharavati River]]
The river Sharavati originates at a place called [[Ambutheertha]] in the [[Thirthahalli]] taluk. According to ancient legend, the [[god Rama]] shot at the ground with his Ambu (translates to bow and arrow) because his wife, [[Sita]], was thirsty. When his arrow hit the ground, water poured out (translates to Thirtha) and quenched her thirst. Because the river, according to the legend, originated with this event, the river is called "Sharavati" as "Shara" translates to arrow.<ref>A brief description of Ambutheertha is provided by {{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/dec072004/middle.asp|title=Malnad splendour|author=Padma Ramachandran|work=Deccan Herald |date=2004-07-12 |access-date=2007-05-21}}</ref>

The total length of the river is around {{convert|128|km|0|abbr=on}} and it joins the [[Arabian Sea]] at [[Honnavar]] in [[Uttara Kannada]] district.<ref name="paper">A detailed study on the Sharavati river is made by {{cite web|author=Saira Varghese Kidangan|url=http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/5050.pdf|title=Quantification of Hydrological responses to landuse changes using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques|work=Online webpage of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, National Remote Sensing Agency|publisher=Dept. of Space, Government of India|access-date=2007-05-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008215415/http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/5050.pdf|archive-date=2007-10-08}}</ref> On its way, the Sharavati forms the [[Jog Falls]] where the river falls from a height of 253 m. The river is dammed at [[Linganamakki]]; the portion of the river above the dam is upstream and the remaining is downstream. The major tributaries of the river are Nandihole, Haridravathi, Mavinahole, Hilkunji, Yennehole, Hurlihole, and Nagodihole.<ref name="paper" /> Sharavati river basin falls into two districts of [[Karnataka]] namely [[Uttara Kannada]] and [[Shimoga district|Shimoga]]. The upstream river basin is extended to two taluks i.e, [[Hosanagar]] and [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]]. The entire basin has an area of {{convert|2985.66|km2|0|abbr=on}} with upstream being {{convert|1988.99|km2|0|abbr=on}} and the downstream being {{convert|996.67|km2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="paper" />

==Geology==
The river basin mainly consists of [[Pre-Cambrian]] rocks. The two major groups of rocks found in the Sharavati river basin are the [[Dharwar]] system and the peninsular [[gneiss]].<ref name="paper" />
* ''The [[Dharwar]] system'': This system contains [[metamorphic rock]]s that are considered to be among the oldest in India. These rocks are derived from ancient sediments like [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerates]], ferruginous [[quartzite]]s, [[greywacke]]s, [[schist]]s and [[limestone]]s. They are rich in iron and manganese.
* ''Peninsular gneiss'': These are crystalline rocks and are made up of [[granite]], [[granodiorite]], granito-gneiss, [[migmatite]] etc.

Soils in the Sharavati basin are mainly [[lateritic]] in origin and tend to be acidic and reddish to brownish in colour. The various type of soil found here are clay loamy, clayey, clayey-skeletal, and loamy.<ref name="paper1">A detailed description of the Sharavati river basin is provided by {{cite web|author1=Karthick B. |author2=Ramachandra T.V. |name-list-style=amp |url=http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/ETR_23/etr-23.pdf|title=Water Quality status of Sharavati river basin, Western Ghats|work=ENVIS TECHNICAL REPORT |date=23 May 2006|publisher=Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore|access-date=2007-05-21}}</ref> Four soil orders are found in the upstream river basin: [[ultisol]]s, [[alfisol]]s, [[inceptisol]]s and [[entisol]]s.<ref name="paper" />

==Climate==
[[File:River Sharavathi Karnataka India 2.jpg|thumb|River Sharavati]]

===Rainfall===
With a major part of the river lying in the [[Western Ghats]], the Sharavati river basin receives a large amount of rainfall. Mean annual rainfall ranges from 6000 mm in the western side to 1700 mm in the eastern side of the basin. About 95% of the rainfall is received during the month of June to September (July being the rainiest) when the southwest monsoon is at its peak.<ref name="paper" /> There is some rainfall in the post [[monsoon]] season in the form of thundershowers mostly during October and some rainfall also occurs during the summer months of April and May.<ref name="paper" />

===Temperature===
April is usually the hottest month with the mean daily maximum temperature at 35.8 °C
and the mean daily minimum at 22.2 °C.<ref name="paper" />

===Humidity===
During the morning, the [[relative humidity]] exceeds 75% for most times of the year. During the months of [[monsoon]], the relative humidity during the afternoons is approximately 60%. During the driest months (January to March), the relative humidity in the afternoon is less than 35%.<ref name="paper" />

==Dams==

===Linganamakki dam===

{{main|Linganamakki dam}}
The [[Linganamakki]] dam located in the [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]] taluk has a length of {{convert|2.4|km|0|abbr=on}} and was constructed across the Sharavati river in 1964. It was designed to impound 4368 million cubic meter of water in an area of around {{convert|300|km2|0|abbr=on}}, submerging {{convert|50.62|km2|0|abbr=on}} of wetland and {{convert|7|km2|0|abbr=on}} of dry land, the remaining being forest land and wasteland.<ref name="paper" /> The dam's height is {{convert|1819|ft|m}} above sea level. The total capacity of the reservoir is 152 TMC (Thousand Million Cubicfeet). It has a catchment area of nearly {{convert|1991.71|km2|0|abbr=on}}. It receives water mainly from rainfall and also from the ''Chakra'' and ''Savahaklu'' reservoirs, which are linked through Linganamakki through a canal. The water from Linganamakki dam flows to Talakalale Balancing Reservoir through a trapezoidal canal with a discharge capacity of 175.56 cubic metres per second. The length of this channel is about 4318.40 m with a submersion of {{convert|7.77|km2|0|abbr=on}}. It has a catchment area of about {{convert|46.60|km2|0|abbr=on}}. The gross capacity of the reservoir is 129.60 cu meters.<ref name="lingan">{{cite web|url=http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/rvp/rvp_right_down_sa.htm|title=Proceedings of National Conference on 'Control Of Industrial Pollution and Environmental Degradation', Coimbatore, September 14th and 15th 2001, pp 262-275 |publisher=Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore|access-date=2007-05-21}}</ref>

===Gerusoppa dam===
The Gerusoppa dam project was completed in 2002 with the main purpose of generation of electricity. It was constructed near the Gerusoppa village in the [[Uttara Kannada]] district. It has a height of 56 metres and a length of 545 metres.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

The Power House on the right bank of the Gerusoppa dam consists of four Francis-type turbines coupled to the generating units of 60 MW each. The units are configured to operate at a design head of 47.5 m. An outdoor switchyard is located between the toe of the dam and the power house. Power from the outdoor yard is evacuated through a 220 kV double circuit transmission line connected to the state grid at Talaguppa.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

The Gerusoppa Project is a [[Karnataka Power Corporation Limited|KPC]] project and the Civil Chief Engineer at the time of completion of the project was K L Krishnamurthy. This is one of the projects constructed by [[R. N. Shetty]] under the name Naveen Mechanised Construction Company Private Limited. The Present Chief Engineer (Electrical) is Shivaji . The main power house was constructed by Mr.Chinna Nachimuthu.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

==Waterfalls==

===Jog Falls===
[[Jog Falls]] is the highest waterfall in India if the single drop water fall and the volume of water are considered for height. Otherwise, it is the third highest waterfall in India (after [[Kunchikal Falls]] and [[Barkana Falls]]); all three are located in Shivamogga district.<ref name="height">{{cite web| title = Showing all Waterfalls in India| url = http://www.world-waterfalls.com/database.php?s=T&t=G&category=country&search=India&orderby=height%20DESC| publisher = World Waterfalls Database| access-date = 2007-02-19| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120905131339/http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/country/India/| archive-date = 2012-09-05}}</ref> The Sharavati river plunges 253 meters (830 ft) into a deep gorge here in four different segments called as ''Raja'', ''Roarer'', ''Rocket'' and ''Rani''. The volume of water that reaches Jog Falls is controlled upstream by the Linganamakki dam, and the falls are at their mightiest when water is released from the dam.

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Lightmatter lion-tailed macaque.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The endangered [[lion-tailed macaque]] found in the Sharavati Valley wildlife sanctuary]]
The Sharavati river basin is rich in [[biodiversity]]. In a survey conducted in the basin, 23 [[amphibian]]s belonging to the families of [[Bufonidae]], [[Ichthyophiidae]], [[Microhylidae]], [[Ranidae]] and [[Rhacophoridae]] were recorded. Of these, 15 species are [[Endemic (ecology)|endemic]] to the Western Ghats. The river lends its name to the following species of fish that have been discovered in its waters:

* ''[[Batasio]] sharavatiensis'': A [[bagrid catfish]] discovered near [[Jog Falls]], [[Uttara Kannada]] district.<ref name="bata">Discovery of ''Batasio sharavatiensis'' has been mentioned by {{cite journal|url=http://www.geocities.com/fishyanu/Batasio.pdf|author1=Anuradha Bhatt |author2=K.C. Jayaram |name-list-style=amp |date=February 2004 |journal=Zoos' Print Journal |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=1339–1342 |title=A new species of the genus BATASIO BLYTH (Siluriformes: Bagridae) from Sharavati river, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka |doi=10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.19.2.1339-42 |access-date=2007-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304232302/http://www.geocities.com/fishyanu/Batasio.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-03-04}}</ref>
* ''Schistura sharavatiensis'': A fish species discovered in Sharavati river near Algod, [[Shimoga district]].<ref name="schis">Details regarding new fishes of genus Schistura found in Sharavati river is provided by {{cite journal|url=http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/twonew_fishes/Sreekantha%20et%20al.,%202006.pdf|author=Sreekantha, K.V.Gururaja, K.Remadevi, T.J.Indra, T.V. Ramachandra|title=Two new fish species of the genus ''Schistura'' Mcclelland (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Western Ghats, India|journal=Zoos' Print Journal |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=2211–2216 |date=April 2006 |doi=10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.1386.2211-6 |access-date=2007-05-07}}</ref>

In 2011, two new species of [[diatom]]s were discovered from Hirebhaskeri Dam of Sharavati River.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Karthick|first=B|author2=Kociolek J P |title=Four new centric diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Western Ghats, South India|journal=Phytotaxa|date=11 April 2011|volume=22|pages=25–40|doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.22.1.2|url=http://karthickbala.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1_Karthick-Kociolek-2011-4-new-centric-diatoms-from-Western-Ghats.pdf}}</ref>

=== Sharavati Valley Wildlife Sanctuary ===
[[File:Sharavathi Valley.jpg|right|thumb|View of Sharavati Valley]]

A part of the Sharavati river basin was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 20 April 1972.<ref name="book">A Walk on the Wild Side, An Information Guide to National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka, Compiled and Edited by Dr. Nima Manjrekar, Karnataka Forest Department, Wildlife Wing, October 2000</ref> Spread over an area of {{convert|431.23|km2|0|abbr=on}}, it has dense [[evergreen]] and semi-evergreen forests. Linganamakki reservoir, with an area of {{convert|128.7|km2|0|abbr=on}}, is a part of this sanctuary. The remaining area has been divided into core zone (74.33 km2.), [[buffer zone]] (170.67 km2) and tourism zone (57.53 km2).<ref name="book" /> The altitude in the sanctuary varies from 94 m to 1102 m, the highest point being Devarakonda on the southern edge of the sanctuary. Temperatures range from 15° to 38 °C and the mean annual rainfall is 4500 mm.<ref name="book" />

;Flora
The sanctuary has mainly evergreen, semi-green and some moist [[deciduous]] forests. Trees in the evergreen forest include species such as ''[[Dipterocarpus]] indicus'', ''[[Calophyllum]] tomentosum'', ''[[Machilus]] macrantha'', ''[[Caryota]] urens'' and ''[[Aporosa]] lindleyana''.<ref name="book" /> In the semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, common species include ''[[Lagerstroemia]] lanceolata'', ''[[Hopea]] parviflora'', ''[[Dalbergia latifolia]]'', ''[[Dillenia]] pentagyna'', ''[[Careya]] arborea'', ''[[Emblica]] officinalis'', ''[[Randia (plant)|Randia]]'' sp., ''[[Terminalia (plant)|Terminalia]]'' sp. and ''[[Vitex altissima]]''.<ref name="book" />

;Fauna
The sanctuary is a refuge of the endangered [[lion-tailed macaque]]. Other mammals include [[tiger]], leopard ([[black panther]]), [[wild dog]], [[jackal]], [[sloth bear]], [[spotted deer]], [[sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[barking deer]], [[mouse deer]], [[wild boar]], common [[langur]], [[bonnet macaque]], [[Indian giant squirrel|Malabar giant squirrel]], [[giant flying squirrel]], [[porcupine]], [[otter]] and [[pangolin]]. Reptiles include [[king cobra]], [[Indian Python|python]], [[rat snake]], [[crocodile]] and [[monitor lizard]].<ref name="book" /> Some of the avian species found in the sanctuary include three species of [[hornbill]], [[paradise flycatcher]], [[racket-tailed drongo]] and Indian [[lories and lorikeets]].<ref name="book" />

==Places of interest==
[[File:A boat and a bridge near river Sharavathi Karnataka India.jpg|thumb|A bridge over river Sharavati]]

===Honnemaradu===
[[Honnemaradu]] is an island on the [[reservoir]] formed by the Linganamakki dam. It is located in the [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]] taluk of [[Shimoga district]]. This place is popular for water sports, such as [[canoeing]], [[kayaking]] and [[wind surfing]]. [[Bird-watching]] enthusiasts also visit this place.

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Sharavathi River}}
*[http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/amphibians/sharavati.htm Species diversity in Sharavati River Basin]
*[http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/Cumulative/index.htm Cumulative Impact Assessment in the Sharavathi River Basin]

{{Hydrology of Karnataka|state=expanded}}
{{Western Ghats}}

[[Category:Rivers of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Rivers of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Geography of Shimoga district]]