Swarna River (also spelled Suvarna River) is a river located in the

Udupi district Udupi district (also Udipi () in Kannada or Odipu () in Tulu language) is an administrative subdivision in the Karnataka state of India, with the district headquarters in the city of Udupi. It is situated in the Canara old north Malabar c ...

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

, India. It is a west-flowing river that originates in the Western Ghats and empties into the

Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...

. There is one CWC Hydrological Observation Station at Yennehole on this river.

Course

The Swarna River originates in the foothills of the Western Ghats and flows westward through several villages, including Yennehole Perdoor, Hiriadka, Parkala,

Manipal 300px, The house of T. M. A. Pai located in Manipal; it has since been converted to a museum. Manipal is a suburb and university town within Udupi, in coastal Karnataka, India. Manipal is located five kilometres away from the centre of Udupi C ...

, Perampalli, and Uppoor, before reaching its confluence with the

near Kodi Bengre. It covers a distance of approximately 55 kilometers.

Hydrology

The Swarna River is primarily rain-fed and experiences peak flow during the monsoon season, typically from June to September. The river has tributaries, including the Yennehole and Kaud Hole, which merge to form the main river.

Dams and water supply

Three dams have been constructed along the Swarna River, one at Yennehole village, the second at Hiriyadka and the third at Shiroor. The first dam- that constructed in Yennehole- is providing water supply for agriculture and drinking to its near villages like Hermunde, Ajekar and Yennehole. Another two dams are crucial for supplying drinking water to Udupi City and the surrounding areas. The river also supports agriculture, particularly rice and coconut farming, in the region.

Ecological and environmental aspects

The river supports a diverse ecosystem, including a variety of aquatic life and vegetation along its banks. However, concerns over pollution and reduced water levels have been raised due to increasing urbanization and deforestation in the catchment area. Conservation efforts have been initiated to maintain the river's ecological balance.

Tourism and cultural significance

The Swarna River is an important geographical feature in the Udupi district and contributes to local tourism. The End Point in Manipal offers a scenic view of the river, attracting visitors. At Kodi Bengre, the river forms an estuary before meeting the Arabian Sea, creating a picturesque landscape that is popular among tourists and local fishermen.

References