It is a perennial river that originates in springs in the Mahabharat Range about 3,300 metres (10,800 ft) above sea level.

[2] For the purpose of a pilot project study the Mai River basin was divided into 14 sub-basins, or blocks.

[2] The study found that two of these blocks were water-stressed and another two had only just enough water flows to meet the present demand.

[3] One of the challenges of the AWP was to encourage the members to work together as a network, rather than use it as a forum to air grievances.

[7] The diverted water flows along a 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) headrace tunnel and then a 990 metres (3,250 ft) penstock pipe to the power station, which discharges it into the left bank of the Mai Khola.