Originating from Pavagadh in the Panchmahal District of Gujarat, the Vishwamitri River flows mainly through the west of the city of Vadodara.

Human settlement dating back to 1000 B.C has been found on the bank of river Vishwamitri which ascertains the existence of Stone Age Era.

[1][2] This river system includes three major tributaries: Vishwamitri, Dhadhar and Jambuva.

[3][4] Its flow is from East to West in between two large perennial rivers Mahi and Narmada.

The main purpose to build this sarovar is to supply water in Ajwa Reservoir.

Whenever an emergency occurs, where the Ajwa Reservoir is full then the excess water is sent off to the Vishwamitri River.

Initially, It was designed by Gaekwad III but in 1964, the bridge crumbled down due to heavy rush in the garden during the Fugga Agiyaras Festival.

[11] After this event Vadodara Municipal Corporation has decided to make a similar bridge at the same place.

[13] The Vishwamitri river system which flows through the heart of the city of Vadodara has over the years suffered due to urbanization and industrialization.

Despite having multiple dams on the river system, it remains subject to floods and thus suffers floodplain encroachment and storm water outfalls.

Neglect towards the maintenance of the river and release of sewage waters, industrial effluents and other sources of pollution has led to the deterioration.

[2] Some of the major gauge stations built on this river to keep floods in check are Ajwa, Pratappura, City Bridge, Bhaniara, Dhanora, Ghansarvav, Haripura, Vadadala, Shivrajpur in Vadodara and Halol and Deo Dam in Panchmahal.

[14] According to a study done by School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan and commissioned by ASP(Amrut Sitaram Pradhan) Foundation, the major causes of the degradation are improper sewage management, increased impervious surface and deforestation throughout the watershed, encroachment within the floodplain, lack of concern for ecological processes, invasive species, open dumping of solid waste and lack of sensitivity for historical context in development.