Important Rivers, Canals and Lakes of Alappuzha

The district of Alappuzha has a network of canals, rivers, and backwaters. Achankovil, Manimala, and Pamba are the major rivers that flow through Alleppey. Let’s have a look at all major water bodies in Alappuzha in the following:

Achankovil River 

This river is also popularly known as Kulallada river, originating from Rishimalai, Ramakkal Theri and Pasukida mettu of Kollam district. The river enters the Alappuzha district at Venmony and has a marginable length of 32.19 Km and a catchment area of 1155.14 Sq.Kms. It then passes through Puliyoor, Cheriyanad, and Chengannur villages, flowing through Pallippad and Thriperumthura villages to finally join Pamba at Veeyapuram.

Manimala River 

The river originates from Mothavara hills in the Kottayam district, and then enters the district at Thalavadi village in Kuttanad taluk, passing through Champakulam and Edathua villages and finally joins the Pamba river at Muttar. The villages of Manimala, Kalloppara, Kozhimukku, Mallappally, Kaviyoor, Champakkulam and Thalavadi lie in the course of the river Manimala. It has a drainage area of 802.90 Km and a length of 91.73 Km.

Pamba River 

Pamba river is the third longest river in Kerala and is formed by a combination of several streams that originate from Peerumedu plateau in Idukki district, enters Alappuzha district at Chengannur and then flows through Thakazhy, Pandanad, Veeyapuram, and Champakulam through a distance of about 177.08 Km and later plunges into Vembanad Lake through several branches like Nedumudi Ar, Pallathuruthi Ar, and Muttar. The river is navigable to a length of 73 Km and has an overall length of 117 Km. The main tributaries of the river are Kakkad Ar, Kakki Ar, Pambayar, Arudai Ar, and Kallar.

Vembanad Lake 

The Vembanad lake has an average breadth of 3.1 Km and a length of 84 Km and is the most important part of the west coast canal system. Stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi, it covers an area of 204 Sq.Km. Borders Ambalapuzha, Cherthala, and Kuttanad Taluks of Alappuzha district, Kottayam, Vaikom, and taluks of Kottayam district and Kochi along with Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district. Achankovil, Pamba, Meenachil, Manimala,and Muvattupuzha rivers discharge into this lake.

Pathiramanal, usually called the mysterious sands of midnight, has luxuriant vegetation with coconut palms and is located in the centre of this lake. Pallippuram and Perumbalam are the other islands in this lake. The Thannermukkom regulator has been constructed across the Vembanad lake between Vechur and Thannermukkom with an intent to prevent tidal action and any kind of intrusion of saline water into the lake. It is also the largest mud regulator in India.

Kayamkulam Lake 

Stretching between Karthikappally and Panmana, Kayamkulam lake is a shallow lake that has an outlet to sea at Kayamkulam barrage. It has a length of 30.5 Km, an area of 59.57 Sq.Km and an average breadth of 2.4 Km. It also helps in connecting Ashtamudi lake by the Chavara Panmana canal.

Canals 

Alappuzha has a large network of canals that are included in the west coast canal system which are used for navigation. The important canals are  Commercial canals, Vadai canal, and the link canals that are between these two canals. Apart from these, there are several inland canals that are mainly used for passenger, commercial, and navigation purposes. The lakes are utilised for inland water transport of cargo and passengers. Inland fisheries have also flourished within these regions.

Sea Cost 

Alappuzha has a flat unbroken sea coast which is 82 Km length and represents 13.9 % of the total coastline of the state. Another very interesting phenomenon of this seacoast is that during the month of June, periodic shifting of mud bank also called “Chakara” happens within a range of 25 Km in Alappuzha-Purakkad coast because of hydraulic pressure when the level of backwater rises during south-west monsoon.

On a trip to Kuttanad, Alleppey, Kanichukulangara or even Kerala as a whole, you are bound to come across all these water bodies in the vicinity of Kanichukulangara. Also, If you’d like to stay just beside the Kanichukulangara Devi Temple, with reason to participate in some rituals at the temple, or if you have a preference to staying in close proximity to numerous vacation spots of Alappuzha, then you could always choose Devi Royal Residency for your stay.

Check out Devi Royal Residency’s comfortable, premium, and luxurious accommodations; they are made keeping an entire family’s comfort in mind, and the place is truly devoted to serving tourists and so also the devotees visiting the temple. Rooms with furnishing, ample space, and also a mini kitchen to cook your own food while you are on an extended stay, awaits you on your next visit to Kerala – “Gods Own Country”

We look forward to your visit, feel free to reach us at (0478 2862177) if you have any queries or requests that we can help you with.