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Brief Description of the Basin
  • The Mahi basin extends over an area of 34,842 km which is nearly 1.1 percent of the total geographical area of the country.
  • It lies between east longitudes 72º 15' to 78º 15' and north latitudes 22º 0' to 22º 40' N respectively. The Mahi River originates in the Mahi Kanta hills in the Vindhyachal range, in the western part of Madhya Pradesh. It is bounded on the north and north-west by the Aravalli hills, on the east by the ridge separating it from the Chambal basin, on the south by the Vindhayas and on the west by the Gulf of Cambay.
  • The basin lies in the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Stream Network

Drainage area (Km2)

Statewise Drainage Area (Km2)

Name of State

Drainage area

Rajasthan

16,453

Gujarat

11,694

Madhya Pradesh

6,695

Total Drainage Area of Mahi Basin (Km2)

34,842

Land use

The upper part of the basin in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh comprises mostly hills and forests except the lower half in M.P., 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. The culturable area of the basin is about 2.21 Mha which is 1.1% of the total culturable area of the country.

Water Potential

Surface Water potential

11.02 km3

Ground Water potential

 

Water Utilization

Surface Water Utilization

Drinking purposes

 

Irrigation purposes

 

Ground Water Utilization

Drinking purposes

 

Irrigation purposes

 

Principal Tributaries

The principal tributaries of the Mahi River are Som, Jakham, Moran, Anas, and the Bhadar.

Major Projects

Jakham Reservoir, Panam Dam, Mahi Bajaj Sagar Project and Kadana Project

Water Quality

There is not much problem from water quality point of view in the basin.

Mythology

In Vayu Purana, this river is also known as Mahati. The name of the river seems to be derived from the lake from which it springs. This is often called the Mau or Mahu as well as the Menda. According to one legend, the Mahi is the daughter of the Earth and sweat of Indrdyumna, the King of Ujjain.