ESTIMATION OF YIELD OF INDIAN RIVERS

Abstract

'Water is the key source of existence, without it no liming being can exist. In the olden days, water was used only to quench the thirst and for domestic needs . But as the time passed, water began to be used also for navigation, irrigation generation of power, fisheries and recreation. Gradually, its negative values also began to be controlled e.g. flood control, drainage control, insect control etc. No development are now possible with out first developing the water resources. Hence, water resources development now play an important role in any nations plans, specially in case of countries like India where lsmit7ed foreign exchange and high population density demands that as much of the basic food supplies be produced in the country, as possible. For the better and economical development of the project and optimum utilisation of the water resources, we must know the correct yield of the rivers which are the main sources of our water. The importance of the study of the yield for the estimation of the reservoir capacity to be provided can hardly be emphasised. Any less estimation of yield will mean provision of a smaller reservoir and loss of potential wealth. On the other hand, over estimation of yield causes an undue provision of a high dam and a bigger reservoir than necessary, which is unjustifiable due to higher cost of the project. It is 1' estimated that whereas the Worlds population doubles up about every 1+0 years, the water requirement of the World doublesup about every 25 years. In the past, as the demand for water was less, little concern was felt regarding the data and knowledge of available capacity of our water resources. But as demand for water is increasing at a very fast rate and available resources of water remains the same as before, no less no more, and rivalry and compitition for use and control of water resour-ces is developing between different uses, the question of correct estimation of yield of rivers which are often interstate and international in character has now assumed great importance$ not only for equitable distribution among the coshavws but also for proper planning of its use to achieve efficiency of use.