Important Rivers of Chhattisgarh: Map, Facts, and Dams
Most rivers of Chhattisgarh flow eastward into the Mahanadi basin, while a few rivers in the southern and northern parts of the state drain into the Godavari and Ganga basins. These rivers are important to the geography of Chhattisgarh and flow through different districts, linking various landforms. In this article, we will explore all major and important rivers of Chhattisgarh along with their origin, length, flow direction, tributaries, and basin coverage.
Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state in central India, known for its dense forests, tribal regions, and mineral-rich plateaus. It shares borders with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The state’s landscape features a mix of hills, plains, and forests, through which many rivers flow across different regions.
Shortest and Longest River of Chhattisgarh
The Mahanadi River is the longest river in Chhattisgarh, flowing for about 286 kilometers within the state. In contrast, the Arpa River is one of the shortest important rivers, with a length of around 138 kilometers.
River Basins in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh has three major river basins:
- Mahanadi Basin
- Godavari Basin
- Ganga Basin
Major Rivers of Chhattisgarh
1. Mahanadi River
- Origin: Sihawa hills, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh
- Length: ~851 km (total), ~286 km in Chhattisgarh
- Drainage Area in Chhattisgarh: ~75,000 sq. km
- Flow Direction: West to east
- Confluence: Bay of Bengal (after Odisha)
- Important Tributaries: Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Jonk
- Key Fact: Forms the largest river basin in Chhattisgarh
2. Indravati River
- Origin: Dandakaranya range, Kalahandi district, Odisha
- Flow in Chhattisgarh: Passes through Bastar region
- Length in Chhattisgarh: ~150 km
- Tributary of: Godavari River
- Key Tributaries: Narangi, Nibra
- Notable Feature: Forms boundary between Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra in parts
3. Hasdeo River
- Origin: Devgarh Hills, Korba district
- Length: ~333 km
- Tributary of: Mahanadi River
- Confluence Point: Near Shiladehi (Janjgir-Champa district)
- Important Tributaries: Gej, Ahiran
- Known For: Hasdeo Bango Dam (major multipurpose project)
4. Seonath River (Shivnath)
- Origin: Godari village, Rajnandgaon district
- Length: ~383 km
- Tributary of: Mahanadi River
- Confluence Point: Near Simga, Baloda Bazar district
- Tributaries: Agar, Tandula, Kharkhara
- Key Feature: Major river for western Chhattisgarh
5. Arpa River
- Origin: Khodri plateau, Bilaspur district
- Length: ~138 km
- Tributary of: Seonath River
- Confluence Point: Near Malhar
- Significance: Lifeline of Bilaspur city
6. Mand River
- Origin: Surguja hills
- Length: ~241 km
- Tributary of: Mahanadi River
- Known For: Supporting forest and tribal regions
7. Jonk River
- Origin: Sunabeda plateau, Nuapada (Odisha)
- Flow in Chhattisgarh: Enters Mahasamund district
- Tributary of: Mahanadi River
- Note: A seasonal river
Other Important Rivers in Chhattisgarh
| River Name | Origin Location | Flows Into |
|---|---|---|
| Tandula | Balod region | Seonath River |
| Kharun | Near Durg | Seonath River |
| Rihand | Gharghoda region | Son River |
| Sankh River | Netarhat Plateau (Jharkhand) | South Koel River |
| Lilagar | Korba region | Hasdeo River |
| Pairi River | Dhamtari district | Mahanadi River |
Important Dams in Chhattisgarh
- Gangrel Dam – Mahanadi River
- Hasdeo Bango Dam – Hasdeo River
- Murrum Silli Dam – Sillari River
- Khudia Dam – Maniyari River
- Dudhawa Dam – Mahanadi River
- Sondur Dam – Sondur River
- Tandula Dam – Tandula River
- Kherkatta Dam – Kotri River
- Khanda Dam – Mahanadi tributary
- Rabo Dam – Kelo River
To learn more about the major rivers across India’s states, check out our Rivers of States section.
