Water availability assessment in Kharun river under regulated and virgin flow conditions using Mike basin

Abstract

The water availability study of Kharun river in Chhattisgarh state has been carried out to estimate dependable flow in the river basin at various probability levels at different time periods and to analyze the flow regime under virgin and regulated condition using MIKE BASIN software and Flow Duration Curve technique. The assessment of water availability is important for the planning of water allocation scheme in Kharun river basin to meet its on-stream demands. From the study it was observed that the flow regime in Kharun river has been strongly influenced by regulation operations associated with water transfer from Ravishankarsagar reservoir to Kharun river and its supply for various usages through the series of anicuts. The study indicated that the Kharun river is originally a intermittent river having flow during monsoon season and 2-3 months thereafter. To meet the various demands in Kharun basin, the water is being released in to the river from Ravishankarsagar reservoir, thus river experiences flow throughout the year under regulated flow condition.