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Geography Chapter 3 Notes

Chapter 3 discusses drainage systems, defining drainage as the flow of rivers and streams in an area, and introduces drainage patterns such as dendritic and trellis. It details India's drainage systems, including the Himalayan and Peninsular rivers, highlighting major rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, as well as their economic roles and pollution issues. Additionally, it mentions various types of lakes in India and important facts like the largest river basin and delta.

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15 views5 pages

Geography Chapter 3 Notes

Chapter 3 discusses drainage systems, defining drainage as the flow of rivers and streams in an area, and introduces drainage patterns such as dendritic and trellis. It details India's drainage systems, including the Himalayan and Peninsular rivers, highlighting major rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, as well as their economic roles and pollution issues. Additionally, it mentions various types of lakes in India and important facts like the largest river basin and delta.

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nisharthrajgarhia
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Chapter 3: Drainage

1. What is Drainage?

The system of flow of rivers and streams that drain an area is called a drainage system.

Drainage basin: Area drained by a river and its tributaries.

Water divide: An upland that separates two drainage basins.

Example: Ambala (between Ganga and Indus).

2. Drainage Patterns

Dendritic: Branch-like (e.g., Northern Plains).

Trellis: Tributaries join main river at right angles (e.g., Narmada, Tapti basins).

Rectangular: Rivers follow faults or fractures.

Radial: Rivers flow in different directions from a central peak (e.g., Amarkantak Hills).

3. Drainage Systems in India

India is drained by two systems:

(i) The Himalayan Rivers


Long, perennial (fed by snow & rain), form deep valleys, meanders, oxbow lakes, deltas.

Major systems:

a) The Indus River System

Origin: Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar.

Tributaries: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej.

20% basin in India (rest in Pakistan).

b) The Ganga River System

Origin: Gangotri Glacier (Uttarakhand), called Bhagirathi.

Tributary Alaknanda joins → forms Ganga at Devprayag.

Major tributaries: Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi (north); Chambal, Betwa, Son (south).

Flows into Bay of Bengal forming Sunderban Delta (largest delta in world).

c) The Brahmaputra River System

Origin: Tibet (called Tsangpo).

Enters Arunachal Pradesh as Dihang, joined by Dibang and Lohit → Brahmaputra.


Flood-prone, forms riverine islands (Majuli: world’s largest river island).

(ii) The Peninsular Rivers

Shorter, seasonal (rain-fed), flow over hard rock, form deltas or estuaries.

Divided into:

a) West-flowing rivers (into Arabian Sea): Narmada, Tapti, Mandovi, Zuari, Periyar.

Narmada: Flows through rift valley between Satpura & Vindhya; forms Marble Rocks near Jabalpur,
Dhuandhar Falls.

Tapti: Flows through rift valley parallel to Narmada.

b) East-flowing rivers (into Bay of Bengal): Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.

Mahanadi: Origin in Chhattisgarh, forms delta in Odisha.

Godavari: “Dakshin Ganga,” longest peninsular river, originates in Maharashtra.

Krishna: Origin in Maharashtra, forms delta in Andhra Pradesh.

Kaveri: Origin in Karnataka (Brahmagiri Hills), forms delta in Tamil Nadu.

4. Lakes in India
Freshwater lakes: Dal Lake, Bhimtal, Nainital (glacial origin).

Saltwater lakes: Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan), Chilika Lake (Odisha), Pulicat (AP).

Man-made lakes: Govind Sagar (on Bhakra Nangal Dam).

5. Role of Rivers in Economy

Irrigation, agriculture, drinking water.

Navigation, transport, fisheries.

Hydroelectricity (dams).

Cultural significance (holy rivers).

6. River Pollution

Causes: Industrial waste, sewage, agricultural runoff, religious offerings.

Effects: Water-borne diseases, loss of aquatic life.

Measures: National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and Ganga Action Plan (GAP).

7. Important Facts to Remember

Largest river basin in India: Ganga Basin.


Largest delta in the world: Sunderban Delta (Ganga-Brahmaputra).

Largest river island: Majuli (Brahmaputra).

West-flowing rift valley rivers: Narmada & Tapti.

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