The Maha Oya (Sinhala: මහ ඔය, lit.'Great River') is a major watercourse in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. It measures approximately 134 km (83 mi) in length.[1] It runs across four provinces and five districts. The Maha Oya has 14 water supply networks to serve the need of water and more than 1 million people live by the river.[2]

Maha Oya
Maha Oya passes Pinnawala elephant orphanage area
Maha Oya is located in Sri Lanka
Maha Oya
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationNawalapitiya, Aranayake
Mouth 
 • location
Kochchikade, Negombo
 • coordinates
07°16′21″N 79°50′34″E / 7.27250°N 79.84278°E / 7.27250; 79.84278
 • elevation
Sea level
Length134 km (83 mi)
Basin features
WaterfallsAsupini Ella
BridgesMawanella Bridge

Its catchment area receives approximately 3,644 million cubic metres of rain per year, and approximately 34 percent of the water reaches the sea. It has a catchment area of 1,510 square kilometres.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Yassin Mohammed, Essam (2013). Economic Incentives for Marine and Coastal Conservation: Prospects, Challenges and Policy Implications. Routledge. p. 296. ISBN 978-1-135-00663-1.
  2. ^ "Maha Oya Sand Mining To Affect Millions". Archived from the original on 20 July 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Sri Lanka: Rivers". FAO. Retrieved 12 October 2016.