Rivers and Lakes of Jammu & Kashmir: Notes & MCQs for JKSSB
J&K GK · 2026-09-30 · 6 min read
J&K Geography is a fixed part of every JKSSB General Awareness section, and rivers and lakes are its most repeated sub-topic. Questions ask where a river originates, its ancient name, which lake is in which district, or which wetland is a Ramsar site.
The Jhelum: river of the Kashmir valley
Known in Sanskrit as the Vitasta, it rises at the Verinag spring (Anantnag), flows north-west through Srinagar, passes through Wular Lake, and leaves the valley near Baramulla. Its main tributaries:
- Lidder — flows through Pahalgam, fed by the Kolahoi glacier
- Sindh — flows through Sonamarg (Ganderbal)
- Vishaw and Rambiara
- Kishanganga — called the Neelum across the Line of Control
Rivers of the Jammu division
- Chenab (ancient Asikni) — formed by the Chandra and Bhaga at Tandi (Lahaul, HP); enters J&K through Kishtwar and flows past Doda, Ramban, Reasi and Akhnoor
- Tawi — flows through Jammu city; rises in the hills of Doda near Bhaderwah and joins the Chenab
- Ravi — forms part of the boundary between Kathua and Punjab
Major lakes
- Wular (Bandipora) — largest freshwater lake in India, Ramsar site since 1990; the Tulbul project is at its outlet
- Dal (Srinagar) — houseboats, floating gardens, Char Chinar island, Hazratbal on its bank; Nigeen is connected to it
- Manasbal (Ganderbal) — often called the supreme gem of Kashmir's lakes
- Anchar — on Srinagar's northern edge
High-altitude lakes and wetlands
- Gangbal — at the foot of Mount Harmukh (Ganderbal)
- Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Satsar — the Kashmir Great Lakes route
- Sheshnag — on the Amarnath Yatra route
- Tarsar and Marsar — near the Aru valley; Kousarnag — Kulgam
- Mansar (Samba) and Surinsar (Jammu) — joint Ramsar site, 2005
- Hokersar (near Srinagar) — Ramsar 2005; Hygam and Shallabugh — 2022
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Practice questions
Q1. The Jhelum originates from which spring?
- Kokernag
- Verinag
- Achabal
- Anantnag
Show answer
Verinag — The Jhelum (Vitasta) rises at the Verinag spring in Anantnag district.
Q2. Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India, is located in which district?
- Srinagar
- Ganderbal
- Bandipora
- Baramulla
Show answer
Bandipora — Wular lies in Bandipora district and has been a Ramsar site since 1990.
Q3. The Chenab is formed by the confluence of which two rivers?
- Chandra and Bhaga
- Lidder and Sindh
- Tawi and Ujh
- Zanskar and Shyok
Show answer
Chandra and Bhaga — Chandra and Bhaga meet at Tandi in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, to form the Chenab (ancient name Asikni).
Q4. Gangbal Lake lies at the foot of which mountain?
- Kolahoi
- Harmukh
- Amarnath
- Mahadev
Show answer
Harmukh — Gangbal lies at the base of Mount Harmukh in Ganderbal district.
Q5. Which pair of lakes in the Jammu division was jointly designated a Ramsar site in 2005?
- Mansar and Surinsar
- Dal and Nigeen
- Tarsar and Marsar
- Sheshnag and Kousarnag
Show answer
Mansar and Surinsar — Surinsar-Mansar lakes (Jammu and Samba districts) were listed together as a Ramsar site in 2005.
Q6. The Lidder river, which flows through Pahalgam, is fed mainly by which glacier?
- Machoi
- Kolahoi
- Siachen
- Thajiwas
Show answer
Kolahoi — The Lidder rises from the Kolahoi glacier and joins the Jhelum.