CHART 2116

Kori Creek


9.213

1.     General information. Kori Creek (23º 30' N, 68º 20' E), now one of the outlets of the Rann of Kachchh, was once one of the mouths of the Indus River. The creek has         shallow bar at the entrance, after which depth steadily increases. Small crafts can navigate the creek as far as Lakhpat, 28 nm inshore. An old jetty exists inside the          creek at Koteshwar.

2.	Caution. The channel and banks are liable to constant changes. The shallow patch with least depth of 0.5 m exists close NW of the navigable channel.
  Dense fishing may be encountered in the area.

3.	Local knowledgeof the area is necessary before closing and entering Kori Creek.

4.	Description. Kori Creek is about 05 mile wide at the entrance and several sand banks exist at the mouth. The clear passage into the creek leads NE thereafter NNE   between off lying sandbanks on one side and low lying swamps on the other.

5.	Depths.After crossing the bar, depth increases gradually as the creek goes inshore and further deepens up to 25 m in the channel. The navigable channel is about 1.5NM   wide, thence the width of the channel reduces to 01 NM and subsequently gets divided by sand banks. After division, the eastern arm is called Koteswar channel, which further   leads to Koteshwar jetty. Jetty at Koteswar is very old and not suitable for even small vessels due to strong current in the area.

6.	Tidal streams.  In the estuary of Kori Creek tidal streams are strong, attaining a rate of 5 kn at springs and 3 kn at neaps. The ingoing stream sets up in the channel   of the creek until about 1½ hour before high water, when it sweeps over the sandbanks in the entrance; the in-going stream also sets into the bay N of Kori Creek. The   out-going stream sets SW and S. 

7.	Navigational Aids.Koteshwar Light, (23°40'.44N, 68°31'.64E) (White RCC tower black bands, 60 m in height), 8 cables S from Koteshwar temple.

8.	Approach aspect. When a vessel is in depths of more than 5 m off Kori Creek (i.e. at the seaward mouth) the low land, being about 10 miles, is generally not seen 
  except in the clearest weather when low hills may be visible. The coast is devoid of any useful mark/ habitation.

9.	Useful Mark.Stranded wreck (23º 30'.1N, 68º 20'.3E).

10.	Landmark.Koteshwar Temple (23º 41'N, 68º 32'E).