Narmada basin extends over an area of 98,796 km2 which is nearly 3.0% of total geographical area of the country. The basin lies in the States of Madhya Pradesh (85,859 km2), Gujarat (11,399 km2) and Maharashtra (1,538 km2).

Narmada river rises near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of about 900 m and flows for about 1312 km before outfalling into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Cambay. Its principal tributaries are the Burhner, the Tawa, the Hiran, the Barna, the Kolar and the Orsand.

The plan regions in between the hilly tracts and in the lower reaches are broad and fertile areas well suited for cultivation. In the basin black soils are predominant. The coastal plains are composed of alluvial clays with a layer of back soil on top.

An average annual suface water potential of 45.6 km3 has been assessed in this basin. Out of this, 34.5 km3 is utilisable water. Culturable area in the basin is about 5.9 M.ha, which is 3.0 % of the toal culturable are of the country.

Present use of surface water in the basin is 8.0 km3. Live storage capacity in the basin has increased significantly sicne independence. From just about 0.07 km3 in pre-plan period, the total live storage capacity of the completed projects has increased to 6.6 km3. In addition, a storage quantity of over 16.7 km3 would be created on completion of projects under construction. An additional storage to the tune of 0.5 km3 would become available on execution of projects under consideration. The hydropower potential of the basin has been assessed as 1321 MW at 60% load factor.

Source: MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
GOVERNMENT  OF  INDIA