 Mahanadi is the principal river of this district and Mahanadi is so far named as Kankannadi, Chitrotpala, Neelotpala, Mandvahini, Jairath, etc.Its tributaries being Pairy, Sondur, Jonk, Kharun and Shivnath.The fertility of lands of Dhamtari district can be attributed to the presence of these rivers.