BASINWISE ASSESSMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
Navin Kumar,
Director, BP Dte,
CWC, New Delhi
1.0 Background
Water being a precious resource without which no life can be sustained on Earth, the
level of its availability and development influences quality of life to a considerable extent. The
source of all fresh water on the land is precipitation. But all the precipitation that occurs on
land is not directly available for use by human beings. Major part of precipitation returns back
to the atmosphere by evaporation & evapo-transpiration. Rest of the water becomes available
either as surface water in natural lakes, streams and rivers, or as ground water. Although all
the water ultimately flows back into oceans or is lost to the atmosphere by way of evapo-
transpiration, during the land phase of hydrologic cycle, water can be exploited and put to
beneficial use.
Apart from basic need of drinking for sustaining human life, water is also used for other
beneficial purposes such as irrigation for increasing crop productivity, industrial processing,
etc. In our country with monsoonic type of climate which causes rainfall to occur mainly in
three to four months of a year with large variations from year to year, exploitation of the
resource to make it available when it is needed and where it is needed has been a major
developmental activity.
Although irrigation is major consumer of water in the country, water requirement for
other purposes such as industrial processing is also increasing day by day due to increasing
economic activities. Because of increasing use of water for varied purposes, water is already
scarce in some regions of the country. The assessment of country’s water potential is thus an
essential pre-requisite for efficient planning and management of the resources. River basin is
basic hydrologic unit for planning and development of water resources. It, therefore, follows
that assessment of water resources has to be necessarily basinwise.
Natural (virgin) flow in a river basin is reckoned as water resources of basin. The mean
annual flow is obtained on pro-rata basis from the mean annual flow at terminal site of the
basin. Natural flow at any location on a river is obtained by summing up the observed flow,
upstream utilization for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses both from surface and ground
water sources, increase in storage of reservoirs (both surface and sub-surface) and
evaporation losses in reservoirs, and deducting return flows from different uses from surface
and ground water.
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2.0 Work done in the past
2.1 First Irrigation Commission (1901-03)
The first ever attempt to assess the average annual flow of all the river systems in India
was made by the Irrigation Commission of 1901-1903. The major constraint at that time was
that while records in respect of rainfall were available, data in respect of river flows were not
available even for many of the most important river systems. The Commission, therefore,
resorted to estimation of river flows by adopting coefficients of runoff. The average annual flow
of all the river systems in India (as it was then, but excluding Burma, Assam and East Bengal)
was assessed as 1443 BCM.
2.2 Dr.A.N. Khosla (1949)
Dr. A.N Khosla developed an empirical relationship between mean temperature (as an
expression for mean evaporation loss) and mean runoff based on his studies on the flows of
Sutlej, Mahanadi and other river systems.
While applying the above empirical relationships to the entire country, Dr. Khosla
divided the country into six regions, viz (i) Rivers falling into Arabian Sea excluding Indus, (ii)
Indus Basin within India, (iii) Rivers falling into Bay of Bengal other than the Ganga-
Brahmaputra system, (iv) the Ganga, (v) the Brahmaputra, and (vi) Rajputana.
According to these studies, the total annual flow of all the systems worked out to 1673
BCM.
2.3 Central Water and Power Commission (1954-66)
CWPC estimated the surface water resources of different basins during the period from
1952 to 1966. The study was mostly based on the statistical analysis of the flow data wherever
available and rainfall-runoff relationships wherever data were meagre. The country was
divided into 23 sub-basins / basins. Ganga was divided into as many as ten sub-systems.
Other major peninsular river basins like Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar and
Cauvery were considered separately. Other river systems were combined together suitably
into a few composite systems. According to these studies, the water resources of various
basins amounted to 1881 BCM.
2.4 National Commission on Agriculture (1976)
NCA estimated total annual water resources of the country as 1850 BCM based on
water balance approach taking into account rainfall, percolation of water in soils, evaporation
and evapo-transpiration.
2.5 Central Water Commission (1988)
As per the report ‘Water Resources of India’, CWC (1988), the natural run-off of a basin
could be computed by adding to the surface flow measured at the terminal site, the net export
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of the surface water out of the basin, the net increase of the surface water storage, additional
evapotranspiration caused by use or storage of surface water, direct ground water flow from
the river basin below or along the terminal site, the net export of ground water out of the basin,
the net increase in ground water storage and soil moisture storage, and the additional
evapotranspiration caused by use or storage of ground water. This is general water balance
approach, applicable to any basin for any period. However, if averages over a long time period
are taken, storage change would be zero or negligible. Also assuming a case of no export or
import, and neglecting the ground water flow below or along the terminal site, a simplification
is possible. With this simplification, the average annual natural flow can be computed by
adding to the average annual surface flow measured at the terminal site, the average annual
extra evaporation / evapotranspiration due to use or storage of surface water and the average
annual extra evaporation / evapotranspiration due to storage or use of ground water.
Earlier, estimate of the natural runoff have been made by two approaches. The
approach adopted by Dr. Khosla does not directly use the measured surface flow at terminal
site but works out the natural runoff from the observed rainfall and temperature. This approach
would, thus require no correction for utilization of surface or ground water. The second
approach utilizes the observed flow record and thus gives a more realistic estimate. In this
approach the observed surface flow at the terminal site is corrected for extra
evapotranspiration due to utilization of water. However, mostly the correction due to additional
evapotranspiration due to use of ground water was not done in actual working.
Districtwise estimates of ground water draft i.e withdrawal from ground water storage
were worked out by Central Ground Water Board for the year 1983-84. 1983-84 districtwise
figures were converted into basinwise figures. The total draft for the country for the year 1983-
84 was about 100 BCM / [Link] estimates for 1967-68 as available in Irrigation
Commission report, indicate that the draft for that year was about 58 BCM / year. Assuming
linear variation, the annual draft for any year was calculated. Basinwise figures for any other
year were estimated on the same proportion as the overall national figures. It was assumed
that the consumptive use of ground water was 70% of the withdrawal.
The basinwise average annual water resources was estimated as 1880 BCM after
carrying out the corrections on the above lines. The above however excluded the groundwater
which flows directly to the sea or to the neighbouring countries bypassing the terminal site.
Studies, carried out elsewhere indicate that this quantum is not appreciable and would be
around 5% of the runoff.
3.0 Recent Estimates
3.1 Reassessment of Average Annual Water Resources Potential (1993)
Basinwise reassessment of water resources potential in the country was carried out by
Central Water Commission (CWC) in 1993 and detailed in the report entitled ‘Reassessment
of Water Resources Potential of India’.
While assessing the water resources of India, the country was divided into 20 river
basins comprising 12 major basins and 8 composite river basins.
The twelve major basins are: (1) Indus; (2) Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna; (3) Godavari;
(4) Krishna; (5) Cauvery; (6) Mahanadi; (7) Pennar; (8) Brahmani-Baitarni; (9) Sabarmati; (10)
Mahi; (11) Narmada; and (12) Tapi.
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The eight composite river basins are: (1) Subernarekha – combining Subernarekha and
other small rivers between Subernarekha and Baitarni; (2) East flowing rivers between
Mahanadi and Pennar; (3) East flowing rivers between Pennar and Kanyakumari; (4) Area of
Inland Drainage in Rajasthan Desert; (5) West flowing rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra
including Luni; (6) West flowing rivers from Tapi to Tadri; (7) West flowing rivers from Tadri to
Kanyakumari; and (8) Minor rivers draining into Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh.
For some of the river basins, assessment of the water resources potential was carried
out in the past by various agencies. In all cases where estimation on the basis of actual flow
data was already made, fresh attempt for reassessment was not done. These basins included
Indus, Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna, Narmada, Mahanadi and Cauvery. Apart from the above
five basins, reassessment of water resources potential was also considered not necessary in
respect of the three basins which included West flowing rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra
including Luni, Area of inland drainage in Rajasthan desert, and Minor rivers draining into
Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh.
The study of reassessment of water resources potential was therefore carried out for
the river basins of Godavari, Krishna, Subernarekha, Brahmani-Baitarni, Pennar, Sabarmati,
Mahi, Tapi, West flowing rivers from Tapi to Tadri, West flowing rivers from Tadri to
Kanyakumari, East flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar, East flowing rivers between
Pennar and Kanyakumari.
3.1.1 Methodology
The observed flows at terminal sites of the basins were corrected for upstream
abstractions to arrive at the natural flows by adopting the following equation:
R N = R O + R IR +R D + R GW –R RI – R RD – R RG + S + E
R N is the natural flow
R O is the observed flow
R IR is the withdrawal for irrigation
R D is the withdrawal for domestic and industrial requirement
R GW is the ground water withdrawal
R RI is the return flow from irrigated areas
R RD is the return flow from domestic and industrial withdrawal
R RG is the return flow from ground water withdrawal
S is the increase in storage of the reservoirs in the basin
E is the net evaporation from the reservoirs
3.1.2 Results of the Study
Based on the above methodology, CWC assessed the average annual water resources
potential of the country as 1869 BCM in the year 1993 (Annex-I).
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3.2 Assessment by National Commission for Integrated Water Resources
Development (1999)
The National Commission for Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) while
assessing the potential, agreed with the estimates of the Reassessment study carried out by
CWC (1993) excepting the cases of Brahmaputra and Krishna basins. In case of Brahmaputra
basin, the NCIWRD assessment included additional contribution of 91.81 BCM which was
estimated to be the flow of the 9 tributaries joining Brahmaputra downstream of Joghighopa
site. In the case of Krishna basin the figures adopted by the NCIWRD was based on the mean
flow of the yield series that is accepted by the KWDT Award. Taking into account the above
two variations, the estimation of NCIWRD yielded that the average annual water resources
potential of the country is 1953 BCM.
4.0 Pilot study regarding Reassessment of basin wise water situation based on the
strategy identified by the Comprehensive Mission Document of National Water
Mission
One of the strategies identified for implementation under the Comprehensive Mission
Document of National Water Mission is “Reassessment of basin wise water situation under
present scenario including water quality by using latest techniques”, which inter-alia may
include:
• development or adoption of comprehensive water balance based model,
• fitting models to basin using current data, and
• assessment of likely future situation with changes in demands, land use,
precipitation and evaporation.
The steps for implementation of the strategy envisage coordination with NRSC for
“Assessment of National Water Resources” using Remote Sensing and GIS based modelling.
In pursuance to the above, a Committee was constituted by MoWR under the
Chairmanship of Chairman, CWC for reassessment of water resources availability in all the
river basins of the country. National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and Central Water
Commission (CWC) jointly executed demonstrative pilot studies in Godavari and Brahmani-
Baitarani river basins wherein Space based geo-spatial inputs were used to estimate basin-
level mean annual water resources. The highlights of the methodology include water balance
approach; precipitation as primary resource (spatial interpolation); new technology tools i.e.
satellite derived spatial data (land use, land cover, elevation, soil), GIS; Semi-Distributed
modeling approach; Concept of Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU) for water balance
computation; Calibration and validation using CWC observed discharge observations. The
study therefore indirectly estimated the utilization of water by various sectors.
The pilot studies demonstrated the usefulness of space based geo-spatial data sets for
estimating basin level mean annual water resources through hydrological modelling.
Hydrological models simulate river/stream flow through estimation of water balance
components such as evapotranspiration, soil moisture, runoff. Satellite data derived geospatial
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data sets are providing the spatial and temporal heterogeneities in parameters that control and
distribute water resources. Exploiting these data sets, semi distributed process based
hydrological modelling approach has been used for water balance studies and water
resources computations.
4.1 Water Balance Equation
The annual water balance of a basin can be represented as follows:
P = I + AET + R ---- (1)
Where, P = Precipitation; AET = Actual Evapotranspiration; I = Interception by the
vegetation which can be ignored when the water balance is computed at monthly time
step and R= Balance Surplus Precipitation
Hence, the equation (1) becomes;
P = AET + R ---- (2)
AET = AET iag + AET rag + AET o ---- (3)
AET iag = AET from irrigated agriculture area (canals and well irrigated)
AET rag = AET from rain-fed agriculture area
AET o = AET from other landuse classes (forest, other vegetation, water bodies, and
other landuse classes)
R = Ro + ∆GWS + ∆SWS + UDI ---- (4)
Ro = Observed flow at terminal gauge (field discharges from CWC)
∆GWS = Annual change in ground water storage
∆SWS = Annual change in surface water storage (in reservoirs)
UDI = effective consumptive use for domestic, industrial and livestock purposes.
Water balance equation thus finally takes the shape of:
P = AET iag + AET rag + AET o + R o + ∆GWS + ∆SWS + UDI ---- (5)
Water Resources Availability (WRA) of the basin comprises of runoff in the river at final
outlet, upstream effective utilisations for irrigation, domestic industrial and livestock
purposes, groundwater flux, and surface water flux. Thus, it can be expressed as;
WRA = R o + IS + E +∆GWS + ∆SWS + UDI ---- (6)
Where, E = evaporation from the reservoirs
IS = Estimated Consumptive Irrigation Input Provided
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4.2 Assumptions /Limitations of pilot study
1. The model is setup at annual time-step, monthly calibrations are not carried out.
2. Kharif crop outside of the command area boundary is assumed as rain-fed and rest is
assumed as irrigated agriculture.
3. In irrigated agriculture land AET is calculated by assuming that 100% water
requirements are met from the rainfall and irrigation supplies together (AET=PET
condition).
4. Landuse/landcover maps of the period 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 are used
for runoff calculations in the study. For runoff computations prior to 2004-05, landuse
map of 2004-05 is used during the year in which rainfall is less than 1000mm, and
landuse map of 2006-07 is used when the annual rainfall is more than 1000mm.
Landuse maps of 1995 and 1985 were also analysed but could not be used since in
these landuse grids, agricultural area has been classified as a single unit and number
of classes also less.
5.0 Comparison of two studies (CWC 1993 study and Joint pilot study by CWC and
NRSC)
Reassessment in 1993 by CWC Pilot study for Brahmani-Baitarani and
Godavari Basins jointly by CWC and
NRSC
Calculations were based on the This is a water balance approach which
observation at the terminal site with attempts to indirectly estimate the
corrections due to upstream abstractions utilization in agriculture because of non-
adjusted by return flows, change in availability of abstraction data which is
storage and evaporation from reservoirs essential for carrying out the assessment
of availability in a river basin
1993 study didn’t provide details such as The pilot study being a water balance
total precipitation in the basin, approach such details are available
evapotranspiration in the natural
vegetation including forests,
evapotranspiration in rainfed agriculture,
etc.
Future prediction on the trend of variation Precipitation being the primary input,
in water availability if there is some such prediction in the trend of variation in
variation in rainfall cannot be made water availability against variation in
effectively with confidence from this rainfall can be made.
study
Major limitation of 1993 study was non- Such limitation is not there.
availability of abstraction / withdrawal
data of irrigation.
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6.0 Present Status of assessment of water resources potential jointly by CWC and
NRSC
The report of the pilot study on assessment of water resources at basin scale using
space inputs in the Godavari and Brahmani-Baitarani Basin has been finalised jointly by CWC
and NRSC. After being apprised about the methodology being adopted for reassessment of
water availability in India, it was decided in the Ministry to complete the reassessment studies
in all the 20 basins of the country through regional offices of CWC. NRSC would provide
necessary support, guidance and training required for carrying out the above studies.
Accordingly, a proposal is formulated to estimate basin-wise mean annual water
resources potential of all the river basins of the country through the field offices of CWC with
technical support of NRSC and submitted to MoWR for necessary approval. The studies would
be commenced immediately after receipt of the approval of the competent authority. While
carrying out the above studies, some improvements over Pilot Studies have been proposed.
**********
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Annex-I
WATER RESOURCES POTENTIAL OF RIVER BASINS OF INDIA
S. River Basin Catchment Average Utilisable
No area Water surface water
. ([Link]) Resources resources
Potential (BCM)**
(BCM)*
1 2 3 4 5
1 Indus 321289 73.3 46
2 Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna
(a) Ganga 861452 525 250
(b) Brahmaputra 194413 537.2 24
(c) Barak & others 41723 48.4
3 Godavari 312812 110.5 76.3
4 Krishna 258948 78.1 58
5 Cauvery 81155 21.4 19
6 Subernarekha 29196 12.4 6.8
7 Brahmani-Baitarni 51822 28.5 18.3
8 Mahanadi 141589 66.9 50
9 Pennar 55213 6.3 6.9
10 Mahi 34842 11 3.1
11 Sabarmati 21674 3.8 1.9
12 Narmada 98796 45.6 34.5
13 Tapi 65145 14.9 14.5
14 West Flowing Rivers from Tapi to Tadri 55940 87.4 11.9
15 West Flowing Rivers from Tadri to 56177 113.5 24.3
Kanyakumari
16 East Flowing Rivers between Mahanadi 86643 22.5 13.1
and Pennar
17 East Flowing Rivers between Pennar & 100139 16.5 16.5
Kanyakumari
18 West Flowing Rivers of Kutch and 321851 15.1 15
Saurashtra including Luni
19 Area of Inland Drainage in Rajasthan --- Negl. --
20 Minor Rivers draining into Myanmar 36302 31 --
(Burma) and Bangladesh
Total 1,869.4 690
*CWC Publication “Reassessment of Water Resources Potential of India, 1993”
** CWC Publication “Water Resources of India, 1988”
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1/17/2014-BO (BPMO)/
Government of India
Central Water Commission
Basin Planning Directorate
Room No. 901(S)
[Link], New Delhi-66
Dated: - 29 /12/2014
To
Sh. Sunil Kumar, Director (A&C),
CWC, National Water Academy,
Khadakwasla, Pune-Sinhgad Road, Pune-411024 (Email: [Link]@[Link], sunil701@[Link])
Sub: - Lecture notes on Basin- Wise Assessment of Water Resources for training program on
“Integrated River Basin Planning and Management” at National Water Academy, Pune during
05-09 January, 2015 -regarding.
Sir,
In continuation to Reservoir Operation Directorate letter No. 6/20/2014-RO/1526-28 dated
19.12.2014 vide which it has been informed that the lecture on ‘Basin- Wise Assessment of Water
Resources’ will be delivered by Shri Navin Kumar, Director (BP Dte) through video conferencing on
09.01.2015, the lecture notes prepared by Shri Navin Kumar, Director (BP) on Basin- Wise Assessment
of Water Resources are enclosed for further necessary action at your end please.
Encl: As above
Yours faithfully,
(Neeraj Kumar Sharma)
Assistant Director (BP)
Ph No. 011-26100802
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