GENERAL INFORMATION
River System & Water Resources
The district is mainly drained by non-perennial streams
and the drainage system of the district comprises of the following:
1. The Markanda & its tributaries
2. The Dangri (Tangri) & its tributaries
3. The Ghagghar & its tributaries
The Markanda and the Dangri streams ultimately drain
into the Ghagghar river beyond the territory of the district. The Ghagghar along
with its tributaries however constitutes an inland drainage system.
The Markanda
The Markanda which drains the southern slopes of Dharti
Dhar range (Himachal Pradesh) , cuts through the
shivalik range and enters the plains and the district. The river channel which is
broad between Kala Amb and Mullana becomes narrow to the south of Mullana. During the rainy season, the river carries enormous water which causes flooding in its lower course.
The Dangri
The Tangri streams rises
in the Morni Hills and flows in a southerly direction upto village Chajju Majra
where it is joined by the Baliali Nadi. It further flows a southerly course running
on the eastern side of Ambala Cantonment. After crossing the Ambala Cantonment Ambala-Jagadhari
railway line it takes south-westerly direction . Near the villages of Segta &
Segti the torrent of Omla and Amri join the Dangri. It is here that the Narwana
branch of Bhakhra main canal crosses the Dangri stream. Thereafter the Dangri takes
a westerly course upto village Niharsi where it turns towards south and leaves the
district to enter the Patiala district of Punjab.
The Dangri rising from Morni Hills , used to flow
on a southerly direction upto Panjokhra, a village in the North-East of Ambala from
where it was separated into two main channels. These two channels still kept a southerly
course running on either side of Ambala cantonment.
The Dangri seems to have changed its course towards the close of 19th century when
the drainage was confined to the eastern channel.The Baliali Nadi rises in the southern
slopes of the Morni Hills and joins the Dangri stream near village Chajju Majra.
The Amri ( also known as Shahzadpur wali or Dadri) is formed of water collected
in plains during the rainy season. It starts near Rataur and flows south-west and
takes the torrent of the Omla and joins the Dangri between the villages of Segta
and Segti.
The Ghaggar
The Ghagghar, another important river also traverses the
district for some distance in the north west. The river originates in Sirmaur district
of Himachal Pradesh and enters the district. It traverses the district near
Ambala City for a very short distance and then flows parallel to the district
boundary outside the district .While in its-upper course , the river contains some
water throughout the year, in its lower course it is generally dry in summer and
carries water only during the rainy season.The two tiny lakes at an elevation of
620 metre above mean sea level near village Masiyun in the Morni hill tract are
of little importance as these lakes neither feed any major stream nor are these
being fed by any major river. Only a small stream from one of these lakes joins
the Dangri (Tangri) nadi. Despite the large number of drainage lines passing through
the district, the area suffers from inadequate water resources. Canal irrigation,
which is limited to a few small pockets in the south-western
tip of Ambala tehsil, does not have much scope for extension because of undulating
topography in a large part of the district. Thus, wells and
tubewells remain the major source of irrigation in the district.
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