Karamana River: Map, History, Pollution & Key Facts
Karamana River is a short west-flowing river located entirely within Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. It originates in the Western Ghats near Agasthyarkoodam and flows about 68 km before draining into the Arabian Sea near Panathura.
Table of Contents
| Origin | Western Ghats near Agasthyarkoodam |
| Length | 68 km |
| State | Kerala |
| District Covered | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Confluence | Arabian Sea near Panathura |
| Major Tributary | Killiyar |
| Main Dam | Aruvikkara Dam, Peppara Dam |
Origin and Course of Karamana River
Karamana River originates from the dense forests of the Western Ghats at Agastyarkoodam, located at an elevation of about 1,600 meters within the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. This region receives heavy rainfall, making it a perennial river.
From its source, the river:
- Flows northwest through the Peppara Dam, then continues past the Aruvikkara Dam, a major water source for Thiruvananthapuram city.
- Enters the urban area at Karamana town, from which it gets its name.
- Continues westward, flowing through suburban and coastal areas like Jagathy, Killipalam, Vellayambalam, Pettah, and Thiruvallam.
- Near Thiruvallam, it splits into two distributaries:
- One flows west to the Arabian Sea at Poonthura.
- The other turns south and joins the sea near Pozhikkara in Kovalam.
Major Tributaries
- Killiyar (joins at Pallathukadavu)
- Kaaviyaar
- Attayaar
- Thodayaar
- Vaiyappadyaar
Important Dams
- Peppara Dam (built in 1983): Supplies water and supports hydroelectricity.
- Aruvikkara Dam (built in 1972): Provides drinking water to the city.
Major Bridges on the Karamana River
Several bridges span the Karamana River, connecting urban and rural parts of Thiruvananthapuram.
- The Karamana Bridge, located in the city area, is the largest and most prominent structure over the river.
Other important bridges include:
- Thrikkunnapuram Bridge
- Mangattu Kadavu Bridge
- Kundamon Kadavu Bridge
- Vellaikadavu Bridge
- Aruvikkara Bridge
- Maruthoor Kadavu Bridge
Karamana River Pollution Issues
- The Karamana River faces issues like pollution, acidification, and fish deaths.
- Untreated sewage, industrial waste, and household effluents are key pollutants.
- Tourism activities in the basin have added pressure on water quality.
- Low oxygen levels in the water have led to fish kills downstream.
- Illegal sand mining continues to damage the riverbed and flow.
History
The river is named after Karamana town, where “kara” means riverbank and “mana” means residence, referring to early Brahmin settlements on its banks.Moreover, in ancient texts it was known as Vanamala, meaning “garland of the forest,” highlighting its origin in the lush Western Ghats.
For a comprehensive overview of other rivers in the state, please refer to our detailed article on the Rivers of Kerala.
