'Shimsha' is a river that flows in the state of
Karnataka,
India. It is one of the tributaries of the river
Kaveri, which is one of the major rivers of
South India. The river originates in the southern part of the
Devarayanadurga hill in the
Tumkur district of
Karnataka and flows for about 221 km. before joining the river
Kaveri.
[1]
Geography
;Origin
Shimsha originates at an altitude of 914 mts. in the
Devarayanadurga hill which is also the location of two temples of the
Hindu God,
Narasimha.
;Course
After originating in
Tumkur district, the river takes a southerly course and enters the
Mandya district. In Mandya district, the river flows in a south-eastern direction and has a waterfall at Shimshapura in
Malavalli Taluk. Just after Shimshapura it reaches the border of
Chamarajanagar district where it joins the river Kaveri.
[2] The confluence of Shimsha and Kaveri is also near the
Shivanasamudra falls. The total length of the river is 221 km. and the river has a catchment area of 8469 km²
;Sub-tributaries
In its course the river is joined by other smaller rivers and streams like Veeravaishnavi, Kanihalla, Chikkahole, Hebbahalla, Mullahalla and Kanva.
;Towns and cities
Maddur is a major town that lies on this river.
Dams
;Markonahalli Dam
Markonahalli Dam is a dam built across the river Shimsha in the
Kunigal Taluk of Tumkur district. It was built by
Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the king of Mysore under the guidance of his
Diwan,
Sir M Visweswaraiah.
[3] It was built to irrigate 6070 hectares of land and has a masonry structure of 139 m and a pair of earth dams extending to 1470 metres on either side. The reservoir has a catchment area of 4103 km² and can hold a volume of 68 million m³ of water at a full reservoir level of 731.57 m above the mean sea level.
[4] 27 species of fish, including 13 species of commercial fishes have been recorded in the reservoir with
Puntius being the dominant species of fish found here. Cirrhinus reba and Labeo calbasu and other transplanted carps are also found here. However, the maintenance of the dam has been poor. In the year 2000, a part of the dam had to be demolished to prevent floods and save 25 villages.
Water started overflowing the dam and only 1 crest gate could be opened. Nearly 150 feet of the dam was demolished in order to allow excess water to flow out.
Power generation
Shimsha has its waterfall at Shimshapura in
Malavalli Taluk. This is also the location of the Shimsha Hydro Electric Project which has an installed capacity of 17,200 kilowatts. The foundation stone for this project was laid by
Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the king of
Mysore in December 1937.
[5]
Issues
Sand mining
The sand found on the river bed of the Shimsha river is mined and used for construction activities, sometimes illegally. Due to the environmental issues that can be caused by sand mining, this activity is currently banned.
[6]
Pollution
Discharge of waste from towns and cities on the way are major contributors to pollution in the Shimsha. However, the Government is trying to clean up the river and has released funds for the same.
[7]
Notes
1. River systems of Karnataka
2. Mandya district
3. Incessant rain: Part of Markonahalli Dam broken open
4. Reservoir fisheries of India: Karnataka
5. 100 years of hydel power in State
6. Stop sand mining at Shimsha river bed, HC tells K'taka Govt
7. Rs 2 cr to clean Shimsha
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