Ghataprabha River

The Ghataprabha (kannada ಘಟಪ್ರಭಾ)river is a tributary of the Krishna River and flows in state of Karnataka, India.

Geography

Ghataprabha River originates in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 884 meters and flows eastward for a distance of 283 kilometers before its confluence with the Krishna River at Almatti. The river basin is 8,829 square kilometers wide and stretches across Karnataka and Maharashtra states.

Hiranyakeshi and Markandeya rivers are tributaries of Ghataprabha.

Course

The Ghataprabha River, separated from the Malaprabha river by the Belgaum hills, flows through the black soil plains before it enters the rocky belt of Gokak. After a long winding course, Ghataprabha River takes a leap of 170 ft over the sandstone cliff. The cliff is in a picturesque gorge of the Gokak valley and is in the shape of a horseshoe. Except the width and color of the water, the general characteristics of the fall, height, shape and speed look a lot like Niagara Falls on a smaller scale. The dull roar of the falls can be heard long before it attained.

Places of interest

• The Gokak waterfall on the river is a noted tourist attraction.
• The Ghataprabha Project at Hidkal is a hydroelectric and irrigational dam across the river.

External links

• Ghataprabha River Project
• Ghataprabha backwaters: sand lifting may be banned