9/10/2017 State of water : Nepal

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State of water environmental issues

Nepal + Country Overview
+ State Of Water Resourses
+ Water Environmental Issues

STATE OF WATER RESOURCES

Nepal is among the richest in terms of water resource availability and it is one of the most
important natural resource of the country. Water resources are abundant throughout the
country in the form of snow covers, rivers, springs, lakes, and groundwater. The total
renewable water resource of the country is estimated to be 237 km3/year (225 km3/year for
surface sources and 12 km3/year for groundwater sources) and per capita water availability
for 2001 was 9600 m3/capita/year.

Snow cover

Snow cover in Himalayas provides huge natural storage of freshwater. Glaciers, permafrost,
and glacial lakes are main forms of water storage. Snow-melt discharges from Himalayas
maintain the water levels in downstream rivers and wetlands and thereby provide vital
ecosystem services and support dependent livelihood. There are about 3,252 glaciers with
total coverage of 5,323 km2 in Nepal. Similarly, there are about 2323 glacial lakes located in
this region with total coverage area of 75.70 km2. Due to impacts of global warming and
climate change phenomenon glaciers are retreating at alarming rate and glacial lakes are
expanding rapidly. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) disaster poses imminent risk to
downstream infrastructure, households and livelihood. In Nepal at least 12 GLOF events
have been reported to date and about 20 glacial lakes are identified as potentially
dangerous from GLOF.

River Basins

Whole Nepal is a part of the Ganga Basin and it is estimated that approximately 70% of dry
season flow and 40% of annual flow of the Ganga River comes through Nepal. It is
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estimated that there are altogether 6,000 rivers (including rivulets and tributaries) in Nepal
and drainage density is about 0.3 km/km2. The cumulative length of rivers is 45,000 km.
There are 1000 rivers longer than 10 km and about 24 of them are more than 100 km.
Rivers in Nepal can be classified into three broad groups on the basis of their origin. The
first group of rivers is snow fed-types such as the major rivers systems: the Koshi, Gandaki,
Karnali, and Mahakali. They originate from snow and glaciated regions in Himalayas and
their flow regimes are mostly governed by the melting of snows and glaciers. As a result,
flow in these rivers is perennial and sustain flow during the dry season. These rivers are
reliable source of water and also provide potential opportunities for hydro-power generation
and irrigation in the downstream. The second group of rivers originates in the middle
mountains and hilly regions. Their flow regimes are affected by both monsoon precipitation
and groundwater. Contribution from groundwater yield maintains the minimum flow level
and prevents from drying during non-monsoon periods. The Bagmati, Kamala, Rapti,
Mechi, Kankai, and Babai rivers fall into this group. The third group of rivers originates in
Siwalik zone. Tinau, Banganga, Tilawe, Sirsia, Manusmara, Hardinath, Sunsari and other
smaller rivers are examples of rivers falling in this group. The flow in these rivers is mostly
dependent on monsoon precipitation and their flow level could deplete significantly low
during the non-monsoon period. Summer monsoon is important period when about 60-85%
of annual runoff of all river systems in Nepal occurs during July to September.

River water discharge flowing through Nepal

River Basin Estimated Average discharge Annual discharge

catchment area in (m3/s) (km3/year)
Nepal(km2) #
Rivers originating at
Himalayas
Koshi 27,863 1409 45
Gandaki/Narayani 31,464 1600 50
Karnali 41,058 1397 44
Mahakali 5,188 573 18
Rivers originating at
Middle 17,000 461 14.5
Mountains and Hills
Rivers originating at
23,150 1682 53
Siwalik zone
Total 145,723 7122 224.5
# Total catchment area of each river basin is larger than shown in the table. Areas of the
basins excluded in the table lies either in China or India.
Source: Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, 2005

Enclosed water

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There are numerous enclosed water bodies all over Nepal and those includes lakes, ponds,
dams, and other small wetlands. Recent report of the National Lakes Conservation
Development Committee has identified total 5,358 lakes in Nepal (including 2323 glacial
lakes). Lakes are spread at different elevation as well as along entire east-west longitudinal
range. There are nine wetland identified as Ramsar sites in Nepal.

Area Attitude Attitude

RamsarSites Zone Location
(ha) (m.a.s.l) (m.a.s.l)
1. Koshi Tappu 17500 90 90 Terai Eastern Nepal
2. Jagadishpur Reservoir 225 195 195 Terai Western Nepal
3. Ghodaghodi Lake Area 2,563 205 205 Terai Far-Western Nepal
4. Beeshazari and Associated 3,200 285 285 Terai Central Nepal
Lakes
5. Mai Pokhari 90 2100 2100 Middle Eastern Nepal
Mountain
6. Rara Lake 1,583 2990 2990 High Mountain Mid-Western
Nepal
7. Phoksundo Lake 494 3610 3610 High Mountain Mid-Western
Nepal
8. Gosaikunda and Associated 1,030 4700 4700 High Mountain Central Nepal
Lakes
9. Gokyo andAssociated Lakes 7,770 5000 5000 High Mountain Eastern Nepal
Source: NLCDC (accessed 15 Feb. 2011)

Other important lakes include Phewa, Rupa, and Begnas in Pokhara (Kaski district). These
enclose water bodies are important source of water for irrigation, recreation, fishing and
other domestic uses. In addition these are habitats for different flora and fauna. Wetlands
are sanctuary for migratory birds and other fauna. The wetlands of the country's lowlands
alone support 32 species of mammals, 461 species of birds (among which 15 species are
rare), 9 species of turtle, 20 species of snake and 28 species of fish.

Groundwater

Nepal also has abundant groundwater resources. The estimated renewable groundwater
potential of the country is estimated to be 12 km3. They are major source of domestic uses
and irrigated agriculture in Terai regions. Apart from Terai region, cities such as Kathmandu
are highly dependent on groundwater resources to fulfil daily water needs. Groundwater
discharges are vital for maintaining water levels in rivers originating from Middle Mountains.
"Groundwater Depletion in Kathmandu Valley: Need for Management"
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