Bahuda originates from the Ramgiri hills of the eastern ghats in Gajapati districts and joins the bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh . Its length is 73 kms having a catchment area of 1250 sq. kms .

Baitarani originates from the Gonasika hills of the keonjhar districts. It is 365 kms long and its catchment area spread over 12,790 sq. kms . It entres into the Bay of Bengal after joining of the Brahmani at Dharma mouth near Chandabali Subarnrekha.

Bansadhara originates from the Flanks of the Durgakangar hills (Lingaraj hills) of the eastern ghats in Kalahandi districts. It is 230 kms long out of which only 150 kms in Orissa. It entres in to the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It has a catchment area of 11500 sq. kms .

Brahmani is the second largest river in Orissa. It originates as two major rivers like the Sankh and the Koel from the Chhotanagpur Plateau of Bihar and both join at veda Vyasa near Rourkela of Sundargarh district of Orissa forming the major River Brahmani. It flows through the Easter Ghats in Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Jajpur districts into the Coastal Plains and enters into the Bay of Bengal along with a combined mouth with the Mahanadi known as the Dhamra. The Brahmani is 799 kms. Long (541 kms. In Orissa) and its catchment area spreads over 39,033 sq.kms. in Orissa).

Budhabalanga orginates from the easterns slops of the Similipala massif. It is about 175 kms long having a total catchment area of 4840 sq. kms with an annual flow of 2177 million m . It is major tributaries are the Sone, the Gangadhar, the Catra etc.

Indrabati originates from the eastern ghats in Kalahandi districts. It is 530 kms long with a catchment area of 41700 sq. kms as a tributary it flows into the Godabari river.

Mahanadi is the major river of Orissa and the sixth largest river in India. It originates from the Amarkantak hills of the Bastar Plateau in Raipur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is about 857 kms. Long (494 kms. In Orissa) and its catchment area spreads over 141,600 sq.kms. (65,580sq.kms.) in Orissa). The river carries on an average about 92,600 million m of water.

Nagabali originates from the Bijipur Hills of the eastern ghats near Lanji garah . It is 210 kms long out of which 100 kms is in Orissa. It has a total catchment area of about 9410 sq. kms.

Rushikulya originates from the Rushyamala hills of the eastern ghats in Phulbani district. It is 165 kms long with 8900 sq. kms of catchment areas. It's tributaries are the Baghua the Dhanei Badanadi etc. It has no delta at its mouth.

Salandi originates from the Meghasani Hills of the Similipal massif in Keonjhar district. It is 144 kms long with a catchment areas of 1793 sq. kms .

Orissa has a number of sparkling lakes both natural and artificial. The natural lakes are the Chilika, the Sara with salt water and the Ansupa and the Kanjia with fresh water. The artificial lakes in Orissa are the water reservoirs.

This is small but extremely picturesque lake holds a prominent position in the tourist map of Orissa for its beauty, proximity to Cuttack and the fact that till the recent past, it used to play host to migratory birds during winter.

Situated at Bhanjanagar in the district of Ganjam, Bhejiput is a beautiful sweet water natural Lake of Orissa.

The Chilika which is the largest inland lake in the country is lying in the southern of Orissa's coast land. It is a lgoon with brakish water and stretches through the districts of Puri, Khurda and Ganjam, close by to the sea and opening into it in the rainy season. Just south of Puri, the sea mixes in with the 1100 sq.km inland Chilika Lake to create the largest brackish water lake in Asia. These shallow waters enclose an immense area of marshes, lowlands, and islands. There are more than 160 varieties of fish, and, in the winter season (from November through March), the area is home to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds as well. The surrounding hills and sandy stretches abound in cheetals, blackbucks, monkeys, fishing cats, mongoose, and porcupines. At the channel meeting the sea, dolphins can be seen cavorting playfully. Snakes, turtles and lizards inhabit the surrounding beach area and wooded undergrowth.

A number of islands dot the expanse of the lake. Nalbana Island, because of its varied flora and fauna, forms the core of the Chilika sanctuary. Kalijai Island is home to the Goddess Kalijai, venerated by the local fisher folk. This island plays host to a huge fair on 'Makar Sankranti' held annually in the month of January. The large fishing community adds flavour to the lake with their traditional colourful sail boats bobbing expertly across the water, reminiscent of the ancient maritime heritage of Orissa. In fact, the fisher folk can be persuaded to take visitors on their boats. Chilika is worth visiting the year round, however, the winter months, when the air reverberates with the din of the birds, are the nicest times. Barkul, Rambha, Balugaon and Satpada are the bases for visiting Chilika, where boats can be hired.

The Ansupa is a horseshoe shaped fresh water lake on the left bank of the Mahanadi opposite Banki in Cutack district. It is at present about 5 kms long and 1.6 kms wide. The lake stands at the foot of the Saranda hills. This attractive tourist spot is about 35 kms from Bhubaneswar.

About 65 km from Dhenkanal , Dandadhar is the site of an irrigation project on the river Ramial. Blue expanse of sparkiling water caged in lush green forests is a thrill to the searching eyes.

A mere 16 km north of Sambalpur town stands the Hirakud Dam on the river Mahanadi - the longest dam in the world and the largest dam made of earth. Hirakud is an engineering marvel as well as a stunning site.

From horizon to horizon, the reservoir forms the largest artificial lake in Asia with an area of 746 sq km and a shore line of over 640 km. A twenty-one km drive on the dyke offers a unique experience of calm serenity.

One can comfortably enjoy the sight of the mighty Hirakud Dam and the fantastic expanse of water from the top of the revolving minaret called Gandhi Minar on the north, or from the Nehru Minar on the other end of the dam. A considerable number of migratory birds also come here during winter.

Originating near Thuamul-Rampur, the river Indravati makes its winding course through dense forests and sunkissed valleys till she halts at Khatiguda, 20 km from Nowrangpur, to form a reservoir in the hands of modern sculptors. The vast blue expanse guarded by green capped soaring hills makes this lake a delightful sight - a lifetime memory.

The Kanjia is a tiny fresh water lake lying south of Barang in the Chandaka area of Khurda district. It is hemmed in on three sides by flat hillocks with a slope only to the east. The Nanadankaan Biological Park is located on the southern hillocks while the Botanical Garden is located on the northern hillock. This lake is a part of the visit spot for those who come to the Nanadankaan Biological Park. Boating facilites are available in the lake.

Originating near Thuamul-Rampur, the river Indravati makes its winding course through dense forests and sunkissed valleys till she halts at Khatiguda, 20 km from Nowrangpur, to form a reservoir in the hands of modern sculptors. The vast blue expanse guarded by green capped soaring hills makes this lake a delightful sight - a lifetime memory.

River Brahmani shelters a dam and reservoir at Rengali amidist picturesque environs. At a distance of 92 kms from Anugul, it is quiet place for outing.

Sara Is a beautiful natural Lake of Orissa situated in the District of Puri covering an area of around 15 Sq Kms.

About 80 km from Berhampur, Sorada holds in its bosom a reservoir amidst uncommon scenic charm. Popularly known as Sorada Ghai, it blends itself beautifully into an enchanting picnic spot. At times, the water of this resrvior is channelsied to the Rusikulya river for irrigation.

The Sorada reservoir, situated in the midst of nature's beauty, is a popular picnic spot for localites and visitors alike.

Attracts nature loving people with its grace and charming water sports facilities. Close to Berhempur city Tampara is a sweet water Lake.

Upper Jonk is an irrigation project near village patora, 16 kms from Nuapara, the disrict headqaurter town, is a place of uncommon scenic charm and an asylum to aquatic fauna. Enligirdled on all sides by green-clad hills, it holds in its bosom, a culture dating back to pre-Christian era at Manikgarh.