CBSE Class 9 Social Science Drainage Notes

DRAINAGE

DRAINAGE PATTERS

The term drainage describes the river system of an area. The area drained by a single river system is called a drainage basin. any elevated area, such as a mountain or an upland which separates two drainage basins is known as water divide.

The streams within a drainage basin from certain patters, depending on the slope of land, underlying rock structure as well as the climatic conditions of the area. These are dendrtelc, trellis, rectangular, and radial patterns. The dendritic pattern develops where the river channel follows the slope of the terrain. The stream with its tributaries resembles the branches of a tree, thus the name dendritic. a river joined by its tributaries, at approximately right angles, develops a trellis pattern. A trellis drainage pattern develops where hard and soft rocks exist parallel to each other. A rectangular drainage pattern develops on a strongly jointed rocky terrain. The radial pattern develops when streams flow in different directions from a central peak or dome like structure. 

A combination of several patterns may be found in the same drainage basin.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN INDIA

The Drainage systems of India are mainly controlled by the broad relief features of the subcontinent. accordingly, the Indian rivers are divided into two major groups :

(i) The Himalayan Rivers and (ii) The Peninsular Rivers.

The Himalayan Rivers :

 The major Himalayan Rivers are the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. These rivers are long, and are joined by many large and important tributaries.

The Indus River system :

The river Indus rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar. Flowing west, it enters India in the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir. Several tributaries, the Zaskar, the Nubra, the Shyok and the Hunza, Join it in the Kashmir region. The Indus flows through Baltistan and Gilgit and emerges from the mountains at Attock. The  Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot in Pakistan. Beyond this, the Indus flows southwards eventually reaching the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus plain has a very gentle slope. With a total length of 2900 km, the Indus is one of the longest rivers of the world. a little over a third of the Indus basin is located in India in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the Punjab and the rest is in Pakistan.

Indus River System. 

1. The Jhelum, an important tributary of the Indus, rises from a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir.
2. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus. it is formed by two streams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, which join at Tandi near Keylong in Himachal Pradesh. hence, it is also known as Chandrabhaga. The river flows for 1,180 km before entering into Pakistan.
3. The Ravi is another important tributary of the Indus. it rises west of the Rohtang pass in the Kullu hills of Himachhal Pradesh and flows through the Chamba valley of the state.
4. The Beas is another important tributary of the Indus, originating from the Beas Kund near the Rohtang Pass at an elevation of 4,000 m above the mean sea level.
5. The Satluj originates in the Rakas Lake near Mansarovar at an altitude of 4,555 mt .In Tibet, where it is know as Langchen Khambad.

 The Ganga System : 

1. The headwaters of the Ganga, called the ‘Bhagirathi is fed by the Gangotri Glacier and Joined by the Alaknanda at Devprayag in Uttaranchal. At Haridwar the Ganga emerges from the mountains on to the plains.
2. The Ganga is joined by the many tributaries from the Himalayas such as the Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak and the Kosi. The river Yamuna rises from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas and meets the Ganga at Allahabad. The Ghaghara, the Gandak and the Kosi rise in the Nepal Himalaya.
3. The main tributaries from the peninsular uplands are the Chambat, the Betwa and the son.
4. The Ganga flows eastwards till Farakka in West Bengal, the northemmost point of the Ganga delta. The river bifurcates here; the Bhairathi-Hooghly flows southwards through the deltaic plains to the Bay of Bengal. The mainstream, flow southwards into Bangladesh and is joined by the Brahmaputra. Further down stream, it is known as the Meghna and finally flows into the Bay of Bengal. The delta formed by these rivers is known as the Sunderban Delta.

The Brahmaputra System : 

1. The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet east of Mansarovar Lake. It is slightly longer than the Indus. it flow eastwards parallel to the Himalayas.
2. On reaching the Namcha Barwa (7757 m), it takes a ‘U’ turn and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh through a gorge. Here, it is called the Dihang and it is Joined by the Dibang, the Lohit, the Kenula and many other tributaries to from the Brahmaputra in Assam.
3. In India it passes through a region of high rainfall. Here the river carries a large volume of water and considerable amount of silt. The Brahmaputra has a braided channel in its entire length in Assam and forms many riverine islands (Majuli, in the Brahmaputra River is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world).
4. During the rainy season, the river overflows its banks, causing widespread devastation due to floods in Assam and Bangladesh. Unlike other north Indian rivers the Brahmaputra is marked by huge deposits of silt on its bed causing the river bed to rise. The river also shifts its channel frequently.

THE PENINSULAR RIVERS 

The Peninsular drainage system is older than the Himalayan one. This is evident from the broad, largely-graded shallow valleys, and the maturity of the rivers. Peninsular rivers are characterized by fixed course, absence of meanders, small drainage basin and non-perennial flow of water. He main water divide in peninsular Indian is formed by the Western Ghats. Most of the major rivers of the Peninsula flow eastwards and drain into the Bay of Bengal. The Narmada and the Tapi which flow through the rift valley are exceptions. 

 (a) The Narmada Basin: 

 (i) The Narmada originates on the western flank of the Amarkantak plateau at a height of about 1, 057m. It falls into the Arabian Sea south of Bharuch. The Sardar sarovar project has been constructed on this river. 

 (ii) Flowing in rift valley between the satpura in the south and the vindhyan range in the north the Narmada creates many picturesque locations. the ‘Marble rocks’, near Jabalpur where the Narmada flows through a deep gorge, and the ‘Dhuadhar falls’ where the river plunges over steep rocks, are some of the notable ones.

(iii) All the tributaries of the Narmada are very short and most of these join the main steam at right angles. The Narmada basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.  

(b) The Tapi Basin:

The Tapi originates from Satpura ranges in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. nearly 79 per cent of its basin lies in Maharashtra, 15 per cent in Madhya Pradesh and the remaining 6 per cent in Gujarat. The Tapi flows in a rift valley parallel to the Narmada but it is much shorter in length. 

(c) The Godavari Basin : 

(i) The Godavari is the largest peninsular river system. it rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. its length is about 1500 km.

(ii) Because of its length and the area it covers, it is also known as the Dakshin Ganga.  its basin cover parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

(iii) The Godavari is joined by a number of tributaries such as the Penganga, the Preheat, the Manjira, the Wainganga and the Wardha. It finally drains into the Bay of Bengal.

(d) The Mahanadi rises near Sihawa in Raipur district of Chattisgarh and runs through Orissa to discharge its water into Bay of Bengal. fifty three per cent of the drainage basin of this river lies in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, while 47 per cent lies in Orissa. 

(e) The Krishna is the second largest east-flowing peninsular river which rises near Mahabaleshwar in Sahyadri. Its total length is 1,401 km. the Koyna, the Tungbhadra and the Bhima are its major  tributaries. 

(f) The Kaveri rises in Brahmagiri hills (3,341m) of Kogadu district in Karnataka. Since the upper catchment area receives rainfall during the southwest monsoon season (summer) and the lower part during the northeast monsoon season (winter), the river carries water throughout the year with comparatively less fluctuation than the other Peninsular rivers. Its important tributaries are the Kabini, the Bhavani and the Amravati.

LAKES 

(i) sambhar Lake is the largest inland salt take of India situated in Rajasthan. Other salt lakes in Rajasthan are Didwana, Degana, Pachadra, Kucha man, Lunkaransar. 

(ii) Lunar Lake situated in Maharashtra is a crater lake. 

(iii) chilka Lake situated in Puri district of Orissa & south of the Mahanadi delth is the biggest lake of the country. 

(iv) Kolleru Lake is deltaic Lake of Andhra Pradesh situated between the Krishna & Godavari delth. 

(v) Pulicat Lake situated in the north of Chennai is a shallow lagoon. it has been barred by a long sandpit which is actually Sri Harikota lsland. 

(vi) Loktak Lake situated in Manipur is the largest fresh water lake in the North East India. Keibul lamjao, the only floating National Park of the country is situated here. 

(vii) Vembanad Lake is a lagoon in Kerala and is an important tourist spot. coconut islands are located in it. 

(viii) Gohna Lake situated near Devprayag in Garhwal has been formed by a huge landslide across a tributary of the Ganga. 

(ix) Wular Lake & Dal Lake are tectonic lakes formed by faulting activities.  

(a) Importance of Lakes:       

 (i) Lakes are very important to man. 

(ii) A lake helps to regulate the flow of a river. 

(iii) During heavy rainfall they prevent flooding and during the dry season, they help maintain an even flow of water.

 (iv) Lakes are also used for developing hydel power.

 (iv) Lakes are a valuable source of water.

 (v) They moderate the climate of the surrounding areas.

 (vi) They maintain the aquatic ecosystem.

 (vii) They enhance natural beauty, helps in developing tourism.

 (viii) They provide recreation through boating and swimming.  

 ROLE OF RIVERS 

(i) Rivers have formed fertile northem plains and deltas containing alluvial soils which are the most productive agricultural lands of India.

(ii) Water from rivers is a basic natural resource essential for survival of humans, plants and animals, for agricultural and industrial activities.

(iii) The banks of rivers have been cradles of civilization all over the world. For  example Indus civilization in India.

(iv) Rivers have provided cultural and economic progress since ancient time.

(v) Rivers provide inland transportation system. They also dilute and transport wastes from settlements.

(vi) Industrial; development has flourished along rivers. Most of industrial processes depend on water as a raw material, as a coolant and for generating of hydroelectricity.

RIVER POLLUTION

Rapidly growing domestic, Municipal, industrial and agricultural demand for water from rivers naturally affects the quality of water. Today more and more water is drained out of the rivers. It has resulted in reducing their volume. A heavy load of untreated sewage and industrial effluents is emptied into the rivers.

(i) This affects not only the quality of water but also the self cleansing capacity of the river. For example, if there is an adequate stream flow, the Ganga water is able to dilute and assimilate pollution loads of large cities within 20 kms.

(ii) The result is that pollution level of many rivers is rising.

(iii) Concern over rising pollution of our rivers has launching of various action plants to clean the rivers. 

NATIONAL RIVER SONSERVATION PLAN (NRCP)

(i) The activates of Ganga Action Plan (GAP) phase-l were started in 1985.

(ii) They declared closed on 31^st March, 2000.

(iii) The steering Committee of the National River Conservation Authority reviewed the progress of the GAP and necessary corrections were made on the basis of lamed and experiences gained from GAP phase l.

(iv) They have been applied to the major polluted rivers of their country under the NRCP.

(v) The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase-ll has been merged with the NRCP. The expanded NRCP now covers 152 towns located along 27 interstate rivers in 16 states. Under this action plan, pollution abatement work are being taken up in 57 towns. a total of 215 schemes of pollution abatement have been sanctioned. so far, 69 schemes have been completed under this action plan. A million litre of sewage is targeted to be intercepted, diverted and treated. 

SOME INTERESTING KNOWLEDGE

(i) The world’s largest drainage basin is of the Nile River in Egypt. 

(ii) According to the regulation of the Indus Water Treaty (1960), India can use only 20 per cent of the total water carried by Indus river system. This water is used for irrigation in the Punjab, Haryana and the southern and western parts of Rajasthan. 

(iii) The Sundarban Delth derived its name from the Sundari tree which grows well in marshland. it is the would’s largest and fastest growing delta. it is also the home of Royal Bengal Tiger. 

(iv) Brahmaputra is known as the Tsang Po in Tibet and Jamuna in Bangladesh. 

(v) The river Kaveri makes the second biggest waterfall in India. it is known as Sivasmudram. the fall supplies hydroelectric power to Mysore, Bangalore and the Kolar Gold Field. 

(vi) 71 percent of the world’s surface is covered with water, but 97 percent of that is salt water. of the 3 percent that is available as freshwater, three quarters of it is trapped as ice. 

(iv) Lakes of large extent are called the seas, like the Caspian, the Dead and the Aral seas.

Q.1. What is a River System?

Ans. A river along with its tributaries is known as a River System or a Drainage system. Ex. Ganga River System, Indus River System etc.

Q.2. Define the term drainage.

Ans. The term drainage describes the river system of an area.

Q.3. What is a drainage basin?

Ans. The area drained by a single river system is called a drainage basin.

Q.4. What do you understand by the term Water Divide?

Ans. Any elevated area such as a mountain or an upland that separates two drainage basins is called a Water Divide. Ex. Ambala act as a water divide between Indus and Ganga River System.

Q.5. Define the following:

Ans. a. Drainage Pattern The pattern formed by a river in a drainage basin depending upon the slope of land, rock structure and also climatic condition is referred to as Drainage Pattern.

Perennial Rivers Perennial rivers are those which have water throughout the year. These rivers receive water from rain as well as from melted snow of the mountains. Ex. Ganga, Indus, Brahamaputra.

Seasonal Rivers Seasonal rivers are those which are dependent upon rainfall for their flow. During the dry season, even the large rivers have reduced the flow of water. Ex. Peninsular Rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Narmada etc.

Q.6. What are the two types of drainage systems found in India?

Ans. Himalayan and Peninsular river systems.

Q.7. Name the rivers that originate from Mansarovar Lake.

Ans. River Indus, Satluj and Brahmaputra

Q.8. Where the headwaters of Ganga meet at?

Ans. Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet at Dev Prayag in Uttarakhand.

Q.9. Where river Ganga leaves behind the mountains and enter the plains?

Ans. Haridwar

Q.10. Which river flows in Tibet with the name Tsang Po?

Ans. Brahamaputra

Q.11. What is the source and mouth of the river?

Ans. The place from where the river originates is called as the Source of the river. The place where the river meets its end is known as the Mouth of the river.

Q.12.Apart from Narmada and Tapi, which are the other west flowing rivers?

Ans. Sabarmati, Mahi, Periyar, Bharathpuzha.

Q.13. Name the east flowing rivers of India apart from the major ones.

Ans. Damodar, Brahmani, Subarn rekha, Baitarni.

Q.14. Which peninsular rivers flow through a rift valley?

Ans. Narmada and Tapi

Q.15. Which rivers have the largest river basins in India and in Peninsular India?

Ans. In India: Ganga

In Peninsular India: Godavari 

Q.16. What are the characteristics of river Yamuna?

Ans. a. River Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri glacier of the Himalayas.

b. It is the largest tributary of river Ganga.

c. The river moves parallel to Ganga for a long distance and finally meets with Ganga at Allahabad.

d. Many peninsular rivers join the Yamuna like Chambal, Betwa, Sind etc.

Q.17. Explain the Indus Water Treaty.

Ans. a. The Indus Water Treaty was sighned between India and Pakistan in 1960.

b. According to the regulations of this treaty India can use only 20% of the total water carried by Indus system.

c. This water is used for irrigation in the Punjab, Haryana and the southern and western parts of Rajasthan.

Q.18. What are the features of Sundarban Delta?

Ans. a. The delta formed by the rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra which is the largest delta of the world is known as Sundarban Delta.

b. The delta derived its name from the Sundari trees which grows well in this marshland.

c. It is the world’s fast growing delta.

d. It is also the home of Royal Bengal Tiger.

Q.19. Differentiate between the following:

Q.20. Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?

Ans. In Tibet, the river carries a smaller volume of water and less silt as it is a cold and a dry area.

When the river enters India, the volume of water increases by the tributaries added into it, high rainfall and melting snow.

Therefore, Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course.

Q.21. Why river Godavari is often referred to as ‘Dakshin Ganga’?

Ans. Since river Ganga and Godavari are carrying similar characteristics, therefore, river Godavari is often referred to as ‘Dakshin Ganga’.

1. As river Ganga is the largest river of India with the largest drainage basin, similarly Godavari is the largest river of peninsular India with the largest drainage basin.

2. River Godavari and Ganga have the similar religious sentiments of the people attached to it.

Q.22. Explain the four drainage patterns.

Ans. DENDRITIC PATTERN

The dendritic pattern develops where the river channel follows the slope of the terrain. The stream along with its tributaries resembles the branches of a tree, thus the name dendritic. Ex. River Ganga along with its tributaries.

TRELLIS PATTERN

A river joined by its tributaries at approximately right angles, develop a trellis pattern. It is develop where hard and soft rocks are parallel to each-other. Ex. River Narmada along with its tributaries.

RECTANGULAR PATTERN

A rectangular pattern is developed on a strongly jointed rocky terrain.

RADIAL PATTERN

The radial pattern develops when streams flow in different directions from a central peak or dome like structure. Ex. Rivers like Narmada and Tapi rising from the highlands of the peninsular plateau.

The radial pattern develops when streams flow in different directions from a central peak or dome like structure. Ex. Rivers like Narmada and Tapi rising from the highlands of the peninsular plateau.
Q.23. Study the information regarding the major river systems of India with the help of the following table:

Q.24. Explain the different formations of lakes.
Ans. A. Oxbow lake
An oxbow lake is formed when the meandering river across a flood plain forms cut offs.
B. Lagoons
Spits and bars in the coastal areas formed by the depositional work of oceanic movement forms a lagoon. Ex. Chilika lake (largest lake in India), Pulikat lake, Kolleru lake
C. Seasonal Lakes
Lakes in the region of inland drainage are sometimes seasonal which depends upon the rainfall. Ex. Sambhar lake in Rajasthan which is a salt water lake.
D. Glacial Lake These types of lakes are mostly found in Himalayan region. They are formed when glaciers dug out a basin which was later filled snow melt. Ex. Wular lake in Jammu & Kashmir which is the largest fresh water lake.
E. Artificial Lakes Damming of rivers for the generation of hydel power has also led to the formation of lakes.
Ex. Guru Gobind Sagar on Bhakra Nangal Project.

Q.25. Why lakes are important for human beings?
Ans. a. Regulate the flow of river Lakes help to regulate the flow of a river. During heavy rainfall, it prevents flooding and during the dry season, it helps to maintain an even flow of water.
b. Generation of Hydel Power Damming of rivers is done in order to store the water for the generation of Hydro electricity. Ex. Hirakud dam on Mahanadi river.
c. Promote Tourism Lakes are always an attraction for tourists for recreation. Lakes enhance the natural beauty of the adjoining area and hence, promote tourism. Ex. Wular lake, Dal Lake in Jammu & Kashmir.
d. Moderate Climate Lakes also help in moderating the climate of the adjoining area that supports ecosystem within the lake and also outside the lake.
e. Source of rivers Many lakes are also the major source for many rivers. Ex. Indus, Satluj, Brahamaputra have their source in the Mansarovar lake.

Q.26. What is the role of a river in building up of an economy?
Ans. a. Cradle of Civilization
River banks have attracted settlers from ancient times. All the major civilizations of the world were settled near to the river banks. Ex. Indus Valley Civilization, Nile Civilization etc.
Even today, many important cities of the world are settled near to the river banks.
b. Basic Natural Resource
Rivers have been of fundamental importance throughout the human history. Water from the rivers is a basic natural resource, essential for various human activities.
c. Deposition of Sediments
The deposition of sediments done by the rivers makes the river banks highly good for cultivation, thus, promoting agriculture over there.
d. Other uses
Using rivers for irrigation, navigation, hydro-power generation is of special significance for a country.

Q.27. What are the main causes of increasing river pollution?
Ans. a. Industrial Effluents: A heavy load of untreated sewage and industrial effluents are emptied into the rivers. This affects the quality of water and also the self cleansing capacity of the river.
b. Urbanization: Modern trends of living consume more water. Moreover, the sewage problems in cities have further added to the problem of water pollution.
c. Domestic Use: The use of rivers and lakes done for domestic purposes like washing and bathing is adding to the problem of water pollution.