Jammu and Kashmir has many lakes, rivers, and glaciers. Significant rivers that flow through Jammu & Kashmir from the Himalayas are Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi [1] These river basins are located at a higher elevation facilitating huge hydro power potential. [2]
Jammu & Kashmir rivers fall into three river systems.
There are around 1230 water bodies in Jammu & Kashmir, the major lakes include the following: [2]
Listed from north to south:
Dams in Jammu & Kashmir, categorised by Operational, Under Construction, and Proposed.
Rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir also contribute to the of Water politics and Water conflict dimension of the larger Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts. J&K government in India continues to reject the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) as detrimental to the interest of J&K, this treaty was suspended by India in 2025 after 2025 Pahalgam attack in Indian-held Kashmir allegedly by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Indo-Pakistani water dispute of 1948 was predecessor to the IWT. Pakistan has formed the Indus River System Authority to manage and distribute the water of IWT rivers among Pakistani provinces.