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Brief Description of the Basin
  • The Sabarmati basin extends over an area of 2l,674 km2
  • Area lies between east longitudes of 72º 15' to 73º 49' and north latitudes of 22º 15' to 24º 53'.
  • It is bounded on the north and north-east by the Aravalli hills, on the east by the ridge separating it from the Mahi basin, on the south by the Gulf of Cambay and on the west by the ridge, separating it from the basins of minor streams draining into Rann of Kutch and the Gulf of Cambay.
  • The basin lies in the States of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
  • The important soil types found in the basin are black, alluvial and sandy soils.
  • The culturable area of the basin is about 1.55 M-ha

Drainage Area of the Basin

Name of State

Drainage area (in Km2)

Gujarat

17,550

Rajasthan

4,124

Total Drainage Area of Sabarmati Basin (in Km2)        21,674

Topography

The topography of the Sabarmati basin is hilly in the early reaches up to Dharoi after which the river flows mostly in plains.

Water Potential of the Basin

Surface Water potential

3.81 Km3

Ground Water potential

 

Hydropower Potential

The studies carried out by the Govt. of Gujarat reveal the possibilities for power generation to the extent of 2,899 KW at 60 % load factor.

Water Utilization

Surface Water Utilization

Drinking purposes

Irrigation purposes

Ground Water Utilization

Drinking purposes

Irrigation purposes

Tributaries with Drainage Area in sq. km.

Name of the Tributary

Drainage area (Km2)

Sei River

331.66 sq. km

Wakal River

1,893 sq. km

Harnav River

865 sq. km

Hathmati River

1,574 sq. km

Watrak River

1,114 sq. km

Major Projects

The Sei Dam, The Harnav Dam, The Harnav Weir, The Dharoi Dam, Hathmati Dam, Guhai Dam, Hathmati Weir, Watrak Project and Kalpsaar Project

Water Quality of Sabarmati Basin

Almost all the places, the observed quality was much below the desired quality. In particular, at Ahmedabad, the observed quality was in the ‘E’ class and the river is more or less like a drain. The flow is very small during the summer months. Sabarmati River is notorious for being almost depleted of dissolved oxygen during summer or pre-monsoon months. However, the situation has improved after the Narmada canal has started supplying water to some places in the basin due to dilution effect. It is also a matter of concern that at some places, the quality of river water is below ‘E’ class.

Problems in Water Resources Development

The Sabarmati River sends down very heavy floods and some of these have caused devastation in Ahmedabad and villages lower down, destroyed crops, carried away cattle, changed the course of the delta channels and filled up harbour with silt. The highest known floods have occurred in 1875, 1941, 1950 and 1973.