Mahi Basin

Mahi Basin extends over an area of 34,482 km2 which is nearly 1.1% of total geographical area of the country. The basin lies in the states of Rajasthan (16,453 km2), Gujarat (11,694 km2) and Madhya Pradesh (6,695 km2).

Mahi river rises from the northern slopes of Vindhyas in Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of about 500m and flows for about 583 km before outfalling into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Cambay. The principal tributaries of the river are the som, the Anas and the Panam.

The upper part of the basin mostly lies in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and comprises mostly hills and forests except the lower half in Madhya Pradesh which is fairly plain. The central part lying in Gujarat consists of developed lands. The lower part of the basin lying in Gujarat is flat and fertile and well developed alluvial tract. Important soil types in the basin are red and black soils.

An average annual surface water potential of 11.0 km3 has been assessed in this basin. Out of this, 5.2 km3 is utilisable water. Culturable area in the basin is about 2.2 Million ha, which is 1.1% of the total culturable area of the country.

Present use of surface water in the basin is 2.5 km3. Live storage capacity in the basin has increased significantly since independence. From just about 0.2 km3 in the pre-plan period, the total live storage capacity of the completed projects has increased to 4.8 km3. In addition, a storage quantity of over 0.4 km3 would be created on completion of projects under construction. An additional storage to the tune of over 0.02 km3 would become available on execution of projects under consideration. The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 68.6 MW at 60% load factor.

Source: MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
GOVERNMENT  OF  INDIA