EXTENT OF PONG WET LAND:           

 The Pong dam reservoir  extends between latitude 30 degree 80 minutes to 32 degrees 7 minutes 22 second North and longitude 75 degree 80 minutes to 76 degree 25 minutes east.The total catchment area of 12562 Sqkm extends in Kangra, Mandi  and Kullu Districts  This reservoir is 42 Km long and 19 Kms wide and having live storage capacity of 7290 million cum. The area of water body varies  from 125 Sq Kms at minimum water level of 1265-80 ft in summer season to about 225 Sq Km at the maximum water level of 1370-1380 Feet  in rainy season and also leaving behind the maximum draw down area of about 80 Sq Kms. The reservoir when full gives the appearance of inland sea with waves traveling to the shoreline.

The environs of Pong wetland support more 366 bird’s species belonging to 56 families . A large number of major  and minor tributaries some perennial and some seasonal viz  Dehar, Bhul.Gaj, Baner Nekar etc from Dhauladhar ranges directly drain  into Pong Dam.

The pong reservoir consists of four major islands viz Rancer, Karu, Kajal-ka-tapu and Jattaan da Kual. Besides this, there is a vast flat fringe area on the right bank of the lake. BBMB authority being the owner of the land has signed MOU with three states viz: Punjab, Rajsthan and Himachal to provide water for irrigation purposes. Nearly 10,000 Cusec water is released as per the plan laid out by them and as per the requirements. Dhauladhar mountains are feeder of water supply to Pong lake .

Below Pong dam, a barrage  was constructed during 1985-86 at Sathana. From this barrage, Sahanahar canal originates. The total distance of Pong to Barrage is about 4 Kms. This barrage constitutes a shallow water body enclosing about 3 Sq Km area,is a heaven for a variety of migratory birds specific to marshy conditions.

CLIMATE:

The climate of the region is sub- tropical.. Summer season extends from mid of March to mid of July and the Monsoon starts from  mid of July to Mid of September. The winter is mild and starts from Mid of December till mid of March. The maximum temperature goes up to 45 Deg. Centigrade, whereas the minimum temperature recorded is 3.5 deg centigrade in winters. The rainfall, however is generally heavier and continuous from July onwards till September. Annual average rainfall during the last five years is 1207 mm.

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