Major Lakes in India Complete Notes 2024

Lakes in India are truly beautiful and important. They play a key role in the country’s culture, environment, and geography. Known for their calm waters, diverse plants and animals, and rich history, these lakes are a big part of India’s natural beauty and heritage.

In this guide, we will explore these lakes and learn about their importance and beauty. From the large lakes in the Himalayas to the peaceful ones in the south, India’s lakes offer different landscapes and experiences.

This topic is very important for exams like UPSC, SSC, NTPC, and other government exams, including state-level exams. Understanding the important lakes of India is a key part of the static GK section in these exams.

What is Lake?

• A body of water surrounded by land is known as the Lake.

• Lakes are found in the mountains and deserts, fields, and the climate near the coast.

• Small lakes are often referred to as ponds. Other lakes are so large that they are called seas. In Europe and Asia, the Caspian Sea is the largest Lake in the world, with an area of more than 371,000 square kilometers.

Types of lakes in India

The lakes of India have different origins. Here we provide 8 types of lakes, according to their origin.

Tectonic Lakes

Formation

• Tectonic lakes are formed due to the Earth’s crust’s deformation (movement and warping).
•  This deformation can include faulting, tilting, folding, and warping.

Location

• While some tectonic lakes can be found in hilly areas, they are not limited to such regions.
•  They can be found in various landscapes, including rift valleys, basins formed by uplift, and along plate boundaries.

Examples

• Global: Lake Baikal (Siberia, the world’s deepest freshwater lake), Caspian Sea (the world’s largest enclosed body of water), Lake Malawi (Africa)

• India: Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso (Ladakh, as mentioned), Lonar Crater Lake (Maharashtra)

Additional Points

• Tectonic lakes tend to be deeper and have steeper shorelines than other lake types due to the dramatic movements that formed them.

• Some tectonic lakes are saline (salty) depending on their origin and water sources.

• The Great Rift Valley in Africa is a famous example of a region with numerous tectonic lakes.

Crater Lakes

Formation

• Crater lakes form when volcanic craters or calderas fill with water.

• Craters are bowl-shaped depressions left behind by a single volcanic eruption.

• Calderas are much larger depressions formed by the collapse of a volcano’s summit.

Water Sources

The water filling the crater can come from various sources, including:

• Rain and Snowmelt: This is the most common source for crater lakes, especially in areas with high precipitation.

• Groundwater: If the crater floor intersects with groundwater sources, it can contribute to filling the lake.

• Melting Glaciers: In some cases, melting glaciers can fill volcanic craters with water.

Examples

• Global: Crater Lake (Oregon, USA), Lake Taupo (New Zealand), Rinjani Crater Lake (Indonesia)

• India: Lonar Lake (Buldhana, Maharashtra)

•  Note: While Lonar Lake is a fascinating geological wonder, it’s not a volcanic crater lake. It’s an impact crater formed by a meteorite hitting the Earth.

Additional Points

• Crater lakes can be fresh or saline depending on the water sources and surrounding environment.

•  Some crater lakes have unique ecosystems due to their isolated nature and volcanic origins.

•  They can be popular tourist destinations due to their scenic beauty and unique geological features.

Glacial Lakes

Formation

• Glacial lakes are formed by glaciers’ erosive and depositional processes.

• As glaciers move, they scrape and erode the underlying rock, creating depressions in the landscape.

• Melting ice from the glacier and meltwater runoff fill these depressions, forming lakes.

Types of Glacial Lakes

There are several types of glacial lakes depending on their location relative to the glacier:

• Cirque Lakes: These lakes form in bowl-shaped depressions called cirques carved by glaciers at the head of valleys. (This is likely what “Tran” refers to).

• Paternoster Lakes: A series of small, interconnected lakes formed along a glacier’s path.

• Marginal Lakes: These lakes form between the edge of a glacier and a valley wall.

Location

• Glacial lakes are predominantly found in mountainous regions with active or past glaciation.

• In India, they are prevalent in the Himalayas, particularly in: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh

Examples

• Global: Lake Louise (Canada), Lake Alakol (Kazakhstan), Lago Argentino (Argentina)

• India: Gangabal Lake (Kashmir, as mentioned), Tso Pang tso (Ladakh), Gurudongmar Lake (Sikkim)

Additional Points

• Glacial lakes are often characterized by their cold, clear water due to their source from melting ice.

•  The surrounding landscapes of glacial lakes can be quite dramatic, with steep mountains and U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers.

•  Glacial lakes are important sources of freshwater for downstream communities and ecosystems.

•  However, climate change poses a threat to glacial lakes. As glaciers melt at an accelerated rate, some glacial lakes may expand rapidly, leading to a risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

Fluvial Lakes

Formation

• Fluvial lakes are a diverse group of lakes formed by rivers’ erosive and depositional processes. Rivers constantly reshape the landscape, and these processes can create various types of lakes.

Types of Fluvial Lakes

• Plunge Pool Lakes: Deep pools carved by waterfalls at the base of steep drops.

•  Oxbow Lakes: Crescent-shaped lakes formed when the main channel cuts off a meander loop of a river. (Example: Gogabeel and Kanwar Lakes)

•  Alluvial Fan Lakes: Lakes formed where a river loses energy and deposits sediment at the base of a mountain range, creating a fan-shaped deposit with a lake in the center.

•  Delta Lakes: Shallow lakes are formed by the accumulation of sediments at the mouth of a river, which enters a larger body of water.

•  Floodplain Lakes: Horseshoe-shaped lakes formed in abandoned channels or depressions within a river’s floodplain.

•  Rift Dammed Lakes: Lakes formed when tectonic activity creates a dam-like feature along a river course.

Distribution

• Fluvial lakes are most commonly found in large rivers’ middle and lower courses, particularly where the terrain is flatter and allows for meandering and floodplain development.

•  In India, they are prevalent in the Ganga and Brahmaputra Rivers plains.

Additional Points

• Fluvial lakes can be temporary or permanent depending on the balance between water inflow and outflow and the sedimentation rate.

•  They often play a crucial role in the river ecosystem, providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life and acting as filters for pollutants.

•  Human activities like dam construction and water diversion can impact the formation and sustainability of fluvial lakes.

Aeolian Lakes

Formation

• Aeolian lakes are temporary bodies of water formed in windblown depressions on sandy surfaces, especially in deserts.

 Windblown Depressions

• Strong winds can erode and sculpt dunes, creating hollows or depressions where water can collect.

Ephemeral Nature

• Due to the arid climate and porous nature of the surrounding sand, aeolian lakes are typically temporary. The water may evaporate quickly during dry periods, leaving behind the depression until the next rainfall or flooding event.

 Salinity

• Aeolian desert lakes often have high salinity (salt content). This can occur due to several factors: Evaporation concentrates any dissolved salts in the water.

•  Windblown dust and sand can carry salt particles from surrounding areas.

•  Some desert regions have naturally saline groundwater that feeds the lakes.

 Location

• Aeolian lakes are most commonly found in extensive desert areas. In India, they are prevalent in the western part of Rajasthan.

Example

• Dhanad Lake (Rajasthan): This is a valid example of an aeolian lake in Rajasthan.

Additional Points

• Aeolian lakes can be important water sources for desert wildlife, especially during the short periods they hold water.

•  The presence of aeolian lakes can be an indicator of the groundwater table in a desert region.

•  Fluctuations in the water level and salinity of aeolian lakes can impact the desert ecosystem.

Dissolution Lakes (Karst Lakes)

Formation

• Dissolution lakes, also known as karst lakes, form due to underground water dissolving soluble rocks like limestone and gypsum.

• As rainwater or groundwater becomes slightly acidic, these rocks can dissolve over time, creating cavities and underground drainage systems.

• If the top layers of the ground collapse or sinkholes develop, a lake can form on the surface.

Karst Landscape

• Dissolution lakes are a characteristic feature of karst landscapes. These landscapes are known for their caves, sinkholes, and underground drainage systems.

Water Quality

• Dissolution lakes can have clear or slightly colored water depending on the surrounding minerals and organic matter.

Examples in India

• Bhim Tal (Kumaun region, Uttarakhand) – Largest natural lake in Kumaon

• Loktak Lake (Manipur) – Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India

Additional Points

• Dissolution lakes can vary greatly in size and depth.

•  Some dissolution lakes have underwater connections to caves and other parts of the underground drainage system.

•  These lakes are important for local water resources, recreation, and tourism. However, pollution from human activities can threaten their water quality.

Lagoon Lakes (Coastal Lagoons)

Formation

• Lagoon lakes, also known as coastal lagoons, are shallow bodies of water separated from the ocean by a barrier island or sandbar.

• Sandbars and barrier islands are formed by the deposition of sand and other sediments by waves and currents.

Water Salinity

• Lagoon lakes typically have brackish water, freshwater from rivers and streams, and saltwater from the ocean.

• The salinity can vary depending on the water sources, freshwater inflow, and tidal exchange with the sea.

Ecological Importance

• Lagoons are vital ecosystems that provide habitat for various plants and animals, including fish, shellfish, birds, and aquatic plants.

• They also serve as important nursery grounds for many fish species.

Examples in India

• Chilka Lake (Odisha) – Largest lagoon in India and second largest brackish water lagoon in the world.

• Pulicat Lake (Shared by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu)

• Vembanad Lake (Kerala) – Largest lake in India

• Ashtamudi Lake (Kerala) – Second largest lake in Kerala

• Kayals of Kerala – Network of interconnected brackish lagoons along Kerala’s coast

Additional Points

• Lagoons can play a role in coastal protection by buffering the impact of waves and storm surges.

•  Human activities like pollution and development can threaten the health of lagoon ecosystems.

•  Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these valuable coastal wetlands.

Landslide lakes

Formation

• Landslide lakes form when landslides or rockfalls block the path of a river or stream. The blockage creates a natural dam, causing water to accumulate behind it.

Temporary vs. Permanent

• Landslide lakes can be temporary or permanent depending on the dam’s size and stability and the erosion rate.

• Smaller, less stable dams may erode quickly, causing the lake to drain rapidly.

• Larger, more stable dams can create long-lasting lakes.

Hazards

• Landslide lakes can pose a threat downstream if the dam breaches. This sudden release of a large volume of water can cause flash floods with devastating consequences.

Examples

• Global: Attabad Lake (Pakistan), Lake Sarez (Tajikistan), Skardu Lake (Pakistan)

• India: Gohna Lake (Garhwal region, Uttarakhand)

Additional Points

• Landslide lakes can vary greatly, from small ponds to massive lakes.

• The water quality in landslide lakes can be affected by the type of material blocking the stream and the surrounding environment.

• Monitoring landslide lakes is crucial to assessing dam failure risk and potential downstream flooding.

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Top 10 largest Lakes in India

List of Important Lakes in India

Here is the list of important lakes in India with states.

List of Important Lakes in India Map

Fact about important lakes in India

Kolleru Lake

• Kolleru Lake is the largest shallow freshwater lake in Asia.

• It is located between the Krishna and Godavari deltas in Andhra Pradesh, India.

• The lake spans across Krishna and West Godavari districts.

• Seasonal streams, like Budameru and Tammileru, feed the lake.

• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in November 1999.

• Designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in November 2002.

• Siberian crane is a notable migratory bird species found in Kolleru Lake.

Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh)

• Pulicat Lake is the second-largest brackish water lagoon in India, after Chilika Lake.

• A major portion of the lagoon is located in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

• The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal.

• Sriharikota is also home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, a key facility for India’s space missions.

Dipor Beel (Assam)

• The name Deepor Beel is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dipa,’ which means elephant.

• Dipor Beel is located southwest of Guwahati city, in the Kamrup Metropolitan district, Assam.

• The lake is fed by the Brahmaputra River.

• It was designated under the Ramsar Convention in 2002.

Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary (Begusarai, Bihar)

• Kanwar Tall or Kabar Taal Lake is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake.

• It was declared as a Ramsar site in 2020.

• Kanwar Tall or Kabar Taal Lake became the first Ramsar site of Bihar.

• Ornithologist Salim Ali mentioned about 60 migratory birds found here.

Suraj Tal ( Himachal Pradesh)

• Suraj Tal literally means the Lake of the Sun God.

• It lies just below the Bara-lacha-la pass.

• Located in the Lahaul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh.

• Suraj Tal Lake is the source of the Bhaga River.

• Bhaga River is a tributary of the Chandrabhaga or Chenab River.

Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir)

• Wular Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in South Asia.

• It is located near Bandipora town in the Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

• The lake basin was formed due to tectonic activity.

• Wular Lake is fed by the Jhelum River and streams like Madhumati and Arin.

• The size of the lake changes with the seasons, ranging from 30 to 189 square kilometers.

• A large portion of the lake has been drained because of willow plantations built on its shores in the 1950s.

Dal Lake (Srinagar)

• Dal Lake is located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

• It is often referred to as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir.”

• The lake covers an area of about 22 square kilometers.

• Dal Lake is famous for its houseboats and shikaras (traditional wooden boats).

• It is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and tranquil environment.

• The lake is fed by the Jhelum River and has a number of floating gardens.

• Dal Lake plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem and provides livelihoods to many people.

• It is under threat from pollution, which affects its water quality and biodiversity.

• The lake is an important part of Kashmiri culture and is often featured in paintings and literature.

Ashtamudi Lake (Kerala)

• Ashtamudi Kayal is a backwater and lake located in the Kollam district of Kerala.

• It is a large, palm-shaped or octopus-shaped water body.

• The name “Ashtamudi” means “eight braids” (with Mudi referring to “hair braids” in Malayalam).

• Known as the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala.

• Famous for its houseboat cruises and backwater resorts.

Shasthamkotta lake (Kerala)

• Sasthamkotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.

• It supplies drinking water to the Quilon district.

• The purity of the lake water is due to larvae called cavaborus, which consume bacteria present in the water.

• The lake has been listed under the Ramsar Convention since November 2002.

Vembanad Lake (Kerala)

• Vembanad is the longest lake in India.

• The Largest lake in the state of Kerala.

• 2nd largest Ramasar site in India after Sunderbans.

• Willingdon Island is located in the Kochi Lake portion.

• Kochi Port is built around Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam Island.

• The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted on a portion of the lake.

Lonar Lake (Buldana, Maharashtra)

• Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar Crater, is a saline, soda lake located at Lonar, 79 km from Buldhana city in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India.

• It is a National Geo-heritage Monument.

• The lake was formed by a meteorite impact during the Pleistocene Epoch.

• Lonar Lake is one of only four known hyper-velocity impact craters in basaltic rock on Earth. The other three are located in southern Brazil.

• The lake has a mean diameter of 1.2 km (3,900 ft) and is 137 metres (449 ft) below the crater rim.

• The crater rim is about 1.8 km (5,900 ft) in diameter.

• Lonar Lake is saline and alkaline.

• The lake’s age is estimated to be around 576,000 ± 47,000 years based on recent studies.

• It is located on the Deccan Plateau, a volcanic basalt region formed around 65 million years ago.

• Studies on the lake have been conducted by organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, US Geological Survey, Geological Survey of India, and IIT Bombay.

• A 2019 study by IIT Bombay found that the minerals in the lake soil are similar to those in Moon rocks brought back during the Apollo Program.

• The lake was declared a Ramsar site in November 2020.

Loktak Lake (Manipur)

• Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.

• Loktak Lake is famous for the ‘phumdis’.

• Phumdis is a heterogeneous mass of vegetation that floats over the water.

• The etymology of Loktak is Lok – “stream” and tak – “the end”.

• Loktak Day is observed every year on the 15th of October.

Chilika Lake (Odisha)

• Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon.

• It spread over the districts Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam of Odisha, India.

• Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second-largest brackish water lagoon in the world.

• The lake is located at the mouth of the Daya River.

• In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Sambhar Salt Lake (Rajasthan)

• Sambhar Salt Lake is India’s largest inland salt lake.

• It is located in Sambhar Lake Town, in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan, India.

• The lake is situated about 80 km southwest of Jaipur and 64 km northeast of Ajmer.

• Sambhar Salt Lake surrounds the historical Sambhar Lake Town.

Roopkund (Uttarakhand)

• Roopkund Lake, also known as Mystery Lake or Skeleton Lake, is a high-altitude glacial lake in Uttarakhand, India.

• It is located in the Trishul massif in the Himalayas, at an elevation of about 5,020 meters (16,470 feet).

• The area around the lake is uninhabited and surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow-clad mountains.

• The lake is small, usually no more than 40 meters in diameter and 1000 to 1500 square meters in area, and it is frozen in winter.

• With a depth of around three meters, the lake is famous for the hundreds of human skeletons found at its edge, visible when the snow melts.

• The skeletal remains led to theories about a violent hailstorm killing a group in the 9th century, but scientific research shows that the remains belong to three distinct groups who died in two separate events: around 800 CE and 1800 CE.

• Due to the skeletons, the lake is commonly referred to as Skeleton Lake.

East Calcutta Wetlands

• The East Calcutta Wetlands are a mix of natural and human-made wetlands.

• They are located in the eastern part of Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• The name “East Calcutta Wetlands” was given by Dhrubajyoti Ghosh.

• It is the largest sewage-fed aquaculture in the world.

• The wetlands were declared a Ramsar site on 19 August 2002.

• They are famous worldwide as a model of multi-use wetlands.

• The wetlands act as an urban facility to treat the city’s wastewater.

• Treated water is reused for pisciculture (fish farming) and agriculture, efficiently recovering nutrients.

• The 4,000-hectare fish ponds use solar energy for biochemical processes.

• This system is a unique example of environmental protection and resource recovery by local farmers.

• The wetlands produce about 10,500 tons of fish per year.

• They provide livelihoods for about 50,000 people directly and the same number indirectly.

Didwana Lake (Rajasthan)

Location

• The famous Didwana saltwater lake is located in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan.

• Didwana is a town in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan.

• The lake also touches the eastern border of Jodhpur state.

Area of the Didwana Lake

• The lake is about 4 km long and 3 km wide, surrounded by sand hills except the west.

• The 5.6 km long and 2.4 km wide Didwana Playa is the second-largest playa in the eastern part of the Thor Desert, which supports commercial salt production.

• It is the second most important and largest lake in Rajasthan after Sambhar Lake which covers an area of 10 sq. kilometers.

Sodium Sulfate in Didwana Lake

• In addition to salt production, sodium sulfate is also produced from the Diwane lakes.

• The sodium sulfate plant and the sodium sulfate unit are two salt-based industries based on this lake.

• Both sodium sulfate-based industries are owned by the Rajasthan State Government.

Historical facts related to the Didwane Salt Lake

• Didwana was a major trading center of the medieval Mughal Empire due to its famous salt lakes, from which salt was made and shipped across India.

• There were several battles between the emperor of Gujarat and the rulers of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaipur over the rights to this lake.

• Maharana Kumbh of Chittorgarh levied a tax on salt, which is mentioned in the Kirti Pillar inscription.

Man-made or Artificial Lakes in India

In the below table, we provide a list of Artificial Lakes in India.

List of Important artificial lakes in India Map

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Important facts about the man-made or Artificial lakes in India

Gobind Vallabh Pant Sagar

• Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar was formed by Rihand Dam.

• Rihand dam is located at Pipri in Sonbhadra District in Uttar Pradesh. (Near the Madhya Pradesh border)

• Rihand Dam was formed by the Rihand River which is a tributary of the Son river.

• Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar is the largest dam in India by volume.

• Also, Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar is the largest artificial lake.

• The Catchment area of Rihand Dam covers the area of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh.

Sukhna Lake

• Sukhna Lake is located in Chandigarh.

• It is a reservoir at the foothills of the Shivalik hills of the Himalayas.

• The lake was created by Le Corbusier and Chief Engineer P L Verma.

• Earlier it was known as Chakraborty Lake after Birendra Narayan Chakraborty, Governor of Haryana.

Hussain Sagar Lake

• Hussain Sagar Lake was built by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah in the year 1563.

• It is a heart-shaped lake in Hyderabad, Telangana.

• Hussain Sagar Lake is fed by the Musi River.

• The twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad are separated by lakes.

Surajkund Lake

• Surajkund Lake is located on the Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli range in the Faridabad city of Haryana.

• The literal meaning of Surajkund is ‘Lake of the Sun’ (Here “Kund” means “lake” or reservoir)

• Surajkund Lake was built by King Surajpal of the Tomara dynasty.

Gobind Sagar Lake

• Gobind Sagar reservoir is situated in the Una and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh.

• It is formed by the Bhakra Dam.

• The reservoir is on the river Sutlej and is named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru.

Maharana Pratap Sagar

• Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake is located in the Kangra district of the state of Himachal Pradesh.

• Maharana Pratap Sagar is also known as Pong Reservoir or Pong Dam Lake.

• It is the highest earthfill dam in India located on the Beas River.

• In 2002 the Pong Dam Lake was declared a Ramsar Wetland site.

Bhojtal Lake

• Formerly the Bhojtal Lake was known as Upper Lake.

• Bhojtal Lake was built by the Paramara Raja Bhoj.

• Bhojtal is situated in the west-central part of Bhopal city.

• The lake is surrounded by Van Vihar National Park on the south.

Pichola Lake

• Lake Pichola is situated in Udaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan.

• Pichola Lake is an artificial freshwater lake.

• Two islands, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are located within Pichola Lake.

• The lake fed by the Kotra River originated from the Aravalli range.

🔰 Read More Detailed Notes on ARTIFICIAL LAKES IN INDIA

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