Following is the list of some major rivers, lakes, artificial reservoirs and hot springs in Himachal Pradesh.

RIVERS

Himachal Pradesh is a major source of water for Indus and Ganga river basins. Some of major drainage systems of the region are Chandrabhaga (Chenab), Ravi, Beas, Satluj and Yamuna. All of these rivers are fed by snow, rainfall and have good amount of water all year round. Following is a list of some major rivers in Himachal Pradesh :

1. BEAS RIVER 

• Length : 470 km before meeting Satluj in Kapurthala, Punjab.
• Distance in HP : 320 km
• Origin : Beas Kund (4061 m) at Rohtang Pass in Pir Panjal mountain range.
• Major Tributaries: Banganga, Luni, Uhlal and Bain.
• Catchment Area: 20,303 square km
• Other Names: Sutudri in Vedas.  Vipasha in Sanskrit.

2. RAVI RIVER

• Length : 720 km.
• Distance in HP : 158 km
• Origin : Multhan tehsil of Kangra district
• Major Tributaries: Baira, Siul, Chatrani, Bhandal
• Catchment Area: 14,442 sqaure km.
• Other Names: Parushani in vedas. Iravati (Airavati) in Sanskrit. Hydraotes in Greek.

3. SATLUJ RIVER 

• Length : 1448 km.
• Distance in HP : 320 km
• Origin : Lake Rakshastal in Tibet (4575 m)
• Major Tributaries: Spiti, Baspa, Nogli
• Catchment Area: 56860 squre km
• Other Names: Shatadru in Sanskrit. Sutudri in Vedas. Sutlej.

4. YAMUNA RIVER

• Length : 1525 km
• Distance in HP : 22 km
• Origin : Yamunotri (3293 m) in Uttarakhand
• Major Tributaries: Chambal, Tons, Giri, Betwa, Ken
• Catchment Area: 2320 square km in Himachal Pradesh
• Other Names: N/A

 5. CHENAB RIVER 

• Length : 960 km
• Distance in HP : 122 km
• Origin : Bara-lacha la (4893 m) in Lahaul Spiti
• Major Tributaries: Chandra, Bhaga (from Surya taal)
• Catchment Area: 75369 square km
• Other Names: Chandrabhaga (Sanskrit: चंद्रभाग) formed by merger of Chandra and Bhaga,  Ashkini (Sanskrit: अश्किनि) or Iskmati ( इस्कामति)

6. GHAGGAR RIVER

• Length : 320 km
• Distance in HP :
• Origin : Shivalik Hills in Himachal Pradesh (1927 m)
• Major Tributaries: Kaushalya, Markanda river, Sarsuti, Tangri river, Chautang
• Catchment Area: 
• Other Names: 
• Comment: Dries out in Thar Desert. Believed to be a tributary of ancient Sarasvati river.

7. SPITI RIVER

• Length : N/A
• Distance in HP : N/A
• Origin : Kunzum range (4300 m)
• Major Tributaries:  Kunzum La Togpo, Kabzima and Pinglung
• Catchment Area: N/A
• Other Names: 
• Comment: A major tributary of Satluj river in Khab (2589 m).

8. BASPA RIVER

• Length : 72 km
• Distance in HP : 72 km
• Origin : Baspa valley
• Major Tributaries: Zupkia, Thatang, Bering, Rukti on left and Suthi on right.
• Catchment Area: N/A
• Other Names: N/A

LAKES

Himachal Pradesh has a large number of lakes and small water bodies in different regions. Most of them have some religious significance with the local population.

1. SURYA TAAL

• Altitude : 4883 m
• Coordinates : 32°45′N 77°24′E, Lahaul Valley
• Shore Length :  4 km
• Primary Inflow : From glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : Bhaga river
• Additional Information : Surya Taal is 3rd highest lake in India and 31st highest in the world. It lies just below Bara-lacha-la pass (4,890m)

2. CHANDRA TAAL

• Altitude : 4300 m
• Coordinates : 32.47518°N 77.61706°E , Spiti Valley
• Shore Length : 2.5 km
• Primary Inflow : From glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : None.
• Additional Information : Chandrataal Lake is a popular camping site and is 16 km from Knuzum La Pass by road. It overlooks Chandra river.

3. DEHNASAR LAKE

• Altitude : 4280 m
• Coordinates : 32.1°N 76.93°E, Barot in Mandi.
• Length & Width : 300m and 200 m.
• DEPTH : 5 m
• Primary Inflow : Glacier and snow melt.
• Primary Outflow : None.
• Additional Information :

4. CHANDER NAUN

• Altitude : 4260 m
• Coordinates : 32.3464° N, 76.3011° E. Rohru in Shimla district
• Shore Length : N/A
• Primary Inflow : Glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : Pabbar River
• Additional Information :

5. BHRIGU LAKE

• Altitude : 4235 m
• Coordinates : 32.2934° N, 77.2425° E, in Kullu.
• Shore Length : N/A
• Primary Inflow : Glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : None
• Additional Information :

6. MANIMAHESH LAKE

• Altitude : 4080 m
• Coordinates : 32°23′42″N 76°38′14″E . Bharmour in Chamba
• Shore Length : N/A
• Primary Inflow : Glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : Manimahesh Ganga (Ravi tributary )
• Additional Information : It is a popular pilgrimage spot during Hindu month of Badhon, corresponding to  August or September.

7. MAHAKALI LAKE

• Altitude : 4080 m
• Coordinates :  Chamba
• Shore Length : N/A
• Primary Inflow : Glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : Evaporation
• Additional Information :

8. PRASAHR LAKE

• Altitude : 2730m
• Coordinates :  31.75426°N 77.10141°E , Mandi
• Shore Length : N/A
• Primary Inflow : Glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : Evaporation
• Additional Information : The lake shore has a pagoda style wooden temple built in 13th century.

9. MACCHIAL LAKE

• Altitude : 2730m
• Coordinates : 31°56′17″N 76°47′49″E , Joginder Nagar
• Shore Length : N/A
• Primary Inflow :
• Primary Outflow : Evaporation, Luni river
• Additional Information : The lake is home to a large number of mahseer fish who are considered sacred by locals.

10. DHANKAR LAKE

• Altitude : 4136 m
• Coordinates : 32°08′N 78°13′E / 32.133°N 78.217°E / 32.133 N, Dhankar village
• Shore Length : N/A
• Primary Inflow :  Glacier and snow melt
• Primary Outflow : None.
• Additional Information : It’s situated on top of a mountain overlooking ancient Dhankar village.

RESERVOIRS

1. Maharana Pratap Sagar (Pong Dam) (450 m, 55 km from Dharamsala)
2. Chamera (741 m, 40 km from Chamba)
3. Gobind Sagar (670 m, Close to Bilaspur Town
4. Pandoh (1360 m, 19 km from Mandi)

HOT SPRINGS

1.Vashishth ( 3 km from Manali) .
2. Kalath (9 km from Manali)
3. Manikaran (45 km from Kullu)
4. Khirganga (33 km trek from Manikaran)
5. Tattapani (51 km from Shimla)

Inventory of Glaciers and Glacial Lakes in Himachal Pradesh

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