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Hydrological feasibility of gravity diversion of the west flowing Nethravathi in Karnataka

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Abstract

The concept of collecting surface runoff on the slopes in canals cut across the western slopes of the Western Ghats, in order to divert part of a flow in the west flowing rivers to the east by gravity, is being promoted in Karnataka. This paper presents a study of the hydrological feasibility of such canals, termed ‘garland canals’ and claimed to be an environmental friendly alternative to the conventional technologies for inter-basin transfer of water, by their promoters. The paper presents a methodology for disaggregating normal annual rainfall into 15-min magnitudes and its application for simulating surface runoff, using a knowledge of infiltration rates on the slopes. The study has been carried out considering a part of a garland canal proposed for diverting the river Netravathi in the state. The results from the study reveal that significant amounts of flow can be collected in the proposed canal only if streams are also tapped and that because of the arrangements necessary for the purpose, garland canals cannot be considered a means superior to the conventional methods for diverting west flowing rivers.

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Acknowledgements

This study is a part of the research project ‘Impact of LULC Changes on Stream flow Regime – A case study of Netravathi Catchment, Karnataka’, sponsored by ISRO, under its RESPOND Programme. The authors acknowledge with gratitude the financial assistance provided for the project by ISRO. The authors also acknowledge the students of The National Institute of Engg., Mysore, who are involved in the studies concerning the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, 570 008, India

    Mysooru R Yadupathi Putty & P N Chandramouli

  2. Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, 572 103, India

    N M Thipperudrappa

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  1. Mysooru R Yadupathi Putty
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  2. N M Thipperudrappa
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  3. P N Chandramouli
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Correspondence to Mysooru R Yadupathi Putty.

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Yadupathi Putty, M.R., Thipperudrappa, N.M. & Chandramouli, P.N. Hydrological feasibility of gravity diversion of the west flowing Nethravathi in Karnataka. J Earth Syst Sci 123, 1781–1792 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-014-0511-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-014-0511-3

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