Ha Chhu
{{Infobox river
| name = Ha Chhu
| image = HaaValley.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Ha Valley
| map =Ha River map.png
| map_size = 220px
| map_caption =Relief map showing the passage of the river (centre) flowing towards the south
| source1_location = Himalayas
| mouth_location = Chukho
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = Bhutan
| progression =
| length =
| source1_elevation =
| mouth_elevation =
| discharge1_avg =
| basin_size =
| river_system =Wong Chhu
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
}}
The Ha Chhu (also spelled Haa Chhu) is a river in west-central Bhutan, it is a tributary of the Raidak River (Wong Chhu).{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5YtUShKY8zcC&q=Ha+chu+River+Bhutan&pg=PA72|title = Himalayan rivers, lakes, and glaciers|work =p. 72 |first= Sharad Singh |last= Negi|year = 1991| publisher=Indus |isbn = 9788185182612|accessdate = 2010-05-12}}
Course
The Ha Chhu originates in a valley glacier on the south-facing slope of the main Himalayas. The source area is located to the south of Chomo Lhari (Mountain of the Goddess).{{cite web|url =http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/L8853E/L8853E02.htm|title = Physiological Survey|work =River System of Bhutan |publisher = FAO Corporate Document Repository |accessdate = 2010-05-09}} A number of smaller streams flowing from glaciers in hanging valleys join the main stream. The Ha Chhu then flows in a general south south-easterly direction to join the Wong Chhu at Chukho.
Ha valley
Western Bhutan is basically made up of the valleys of Ha at {{convert|2700|m}}, Paro at {{convert|2200|m}}, and Thimphu at {{convert|2300|m}}.{{cite web|url = http://www.birdingindiatours.net/trip_reports_peter_lobo_bhutan.html|title = Birding trip report|publisher = Birding India Tours|accessdate = 2010-05-12|archive-date = 2012-07-20|archive-url = https://archive.today/20120720060336/http://allindiabirdingtours.com/|url-status = dead}}
The upper valley of the Ha Chhu is glaciated but in its lower and middle course it flows along a deep V-shaped valley. There are many rocky outcrops along this river.
The Ha valley is situated on Bhutan’s border with China, {{convert|61|km}} from Paro. One can climb to Chele La (mountain pass) at a height of {{convert|3988|m}}, the highest point on Bhutan’s roads.{{cite web|url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090412/jsp/calcutta/story_10810191.jsp|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090415194232/http://telegraphindia.com/1090412/jsp/calcutta/story_10810191.jsp|url-status =dead|archive-date =April 15, 2009|title = Next week you can be at ... Paro & Thimpu|publisher = The Telegraph, 12 April 2009 |accessdate = 2010-05-12}} The mountain pass offers views of the surrounding peaks and the Paro and Ha valleys.
The bulk of the Ha Chhu catchment is under alpine, sub-alpine and temperate mixed coniferous forests.
=Ha village=
Ha is a large village that has come up along this river. Situated at a steep drop of the river, it has a fort. It has retained the traditional Bhutanese style of architecture.
=Lhakhang Karpo=
Lhakhang Karpo (temple of the white dove), located at Dumchoe, {{convert|3|km}} south of Ha village, is a monastery believed to have been built in the 8th century by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Goenpo, after he sent two doves (one black and one white) to find a sacred place to build a monastery. Lhakhang Karpo is the main seat of Ha’s guardian deity – Ap Chundu.{{cite web|url = http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/393|title = Lhakhang Karpo|publisher = Bhutan 2008|accessdate = 2010-05-12|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120709044636/http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/393|archive-date = 2012-07-09|url-status = dead}}
=Fish culture=
Traditionally salmonidae (Salmo trutta) and Dinnawah snowtrout (Schizothorax progastus) was found in the Ha Chhu. Brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) was first introduced in Bhutan in 1930. A hatchery was established at Ha immediately thereafter and another at Wangchutaba in 1975. The asla is held in high esteem by the Bhutanese and brown trout seems to be feeding on and suppressing indigenous cold-water fish such as the asla.{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4HESCeJyZcC&q=Ha+Chu+River+Bhutan+fish&pg=PA6|title =Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes |work = Volume 385 of FAO fisheries technical paper|last= T. Petr |publisher =Food and Agriculture Organization| date=2009|isbn=978-92-5-104309-7}}{{cite web|url =http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/L8853E/L8853E02.htm|title = Physiological Survey|work =Fish Species of Bhutan Waters |publisher = FAO Corporate Document Repository |accessdate = 2010-05-09}} In 1987, the FAO fact finding and project idea formulating mission for small-scale cold-water fisheries visited Bhutan. A subsequent visit by experts established that the Ha hatchery was more conducive to fish culture than that in the foothill ponds.
References
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{{Hydrography of Bhutan}}
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