Important Lakes in India, State wise and Largest Lakes of India

A lake is a large body of water, which can be either fresh or salty, completely surrounded by land. Lakes can be formed naturally through geological processes or created by humans. India has many different lakes, like the big and beautiful Dal Lake in Kashmir and the small, Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan. They provide resources for drinking water, irrigation, and recreation, and they also hold cultural and historical significance for communities. They are also popular tourist spots with amazing views and fun activities.

Lakes of India

A lake is a large body of water that is deeper and bigger than a pond and it is surrounded by land, lakes do not have tides and do not flow like rivers. Most lakes have fresh water, but some are created by people to hold water for farming, industries, or homes. In very dry places, lakes can become salty if the water evaporates quickly leaving behind salt. These salty lakes are called “salt lakes” like Sambhar lake.

S.No	Category of Lake in India
1.	Freshwater Lakes
2.	Saltwater Lakes
3.	Natural Lakes
4.	Oxbow Lakes
5.	Artificial Lakes
6.	Crater Lakes

List of Important Lakes in India

We have discussed the Important Lakes in India, given below with the names along with the Location and Types :-

Lake	Location	Type
Kolleru Lake	Andhra Pradesh	Natural Freshwater
Sambhar Lake	Rajasthan	Saline
Dhebar Lake	Rajasthan	Artificial Freshwater
Pushkar Lake	Rajasthan	Artificial Freshwater
Pichola Lake	Rajasthan	Artificial Freshwater
Rangsagar Lake	Rajasthan	Artificial Lake
Gobind Sagar Lake	Himachal Pradesh	Freshwater
Gobind Ballabh Pant Sagar (Largest Artificial Lake in India)	Sonebhadra district, Uttar Pradesh	Artificial Lake
Kanwar Lake	Bihar	Natural Freshwater
Ashtamudi Lake	Kerala	Freshwater
Paravur Lake	Kerala	Freshwater
Sasthamkotta Lake	Kerala	Freshwater
Bhojtal Lake	Madhya Pradesh	Artificial Freshwater
Veeranam Lake	Tamil Nadu	Artificial Freshwater
Chembarambakkam Lake	Tamil Nadu	Artificial lake
Vaitarna Lake	Maharashtra	Artificial Freshwater
Lonar Lake	Maharashtra	Freshwater
Vihar Lake	Maharashtra	Natural Freshwater
Dal Lake	Jammu and Kashmir	Natural Freshwater
Dipor Bil Lake	Assam	Natural Freshwater
Hussain Sagar	Telangana	Artificial lake
Shamirpet Lake	Telangana	Artificial lake
Sukhna lake	Chandigarh	Artificial Freshwater
Tsomgo Lake	Sikkim	Freshwater (Glacial) Lake
Nainital Lake	Uttrakhand	Natural Freshwater
Bhimtal Lake	Uttrakhand	Natural Freshwater
Dodital	Uttrakhand	Freshwater Lake
Senchal Lake	West Bengal	Artificial Lake
Belasagar Lake	Uttar Pradesh	Artificial lake
Kanjia Lake	Odisha	Natural Lake
Kanjli Wetland	Punjab	Freshwater Lake

Check out the linked article on the UPSC Syllabus 2024 Here!

List of Major Lakes in Union Territories

Top Five Largest Lakes of India

1. Vembanad Lake- Longest Lake in India and Largest Lake of Kerala

Overview
Location	Kerala
Type	Brackish and Freshwater
Square Area	2033 square km
Depth	12 m

• This lake can be found in three separate state districts.
• This lake borders Kumarakom, a well-known tourist resort.
• This lake is famous for backwater houseboats, birdwatching, photography, and other activities.
• In the main body of the lake, the renowned snake boat race and Nehru Trophy boat race are held.
• Many migratory birds can be seen in and around this lake if one visits in the winter.

2. Chilika Lake- Largest Brakish water Lagoon in India

Overview
Location	Odisha
Type	Brackish
Square Area	1165 square km
Depth	4.2 m

• This largest coastal lagoon in the nation and the second largest in the world was formed by about 52 streams.
• The largest wintering ground for migratory birds and the largest nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles
• This lake serves 132 communities and more as a fishing resource.
• The main attraction of the lake is Nalaban Island, which is a bird sanctuary.
• There are other islands such as Parikud, Bacon, Breakfast, Honeymoon, and Birds’ Island.

3. Shivaji Sagar Lake

Overview
Location	Maharashtra
Type	Artificial and freshwater
Square Area	891.7 square km
Depth	80 m

• Shivsagar Lake is an artificial freshwater lake in India, it is a reservoir in the state of Maharastra.
• The Lake formed after the Koyna River was impound by the Koyna dam.
• It is a Length of 50 Km and depth of 80 m
• Shiv Sagar Lake is in Guhagar, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India.
• The lake is surrounded by green areas and is a favorite spot for nature lovers and tourists.
• For those looking for a picnic location, the lake offers a beautiful view.

4. Indira Sagar Lake

Overview
Location	Madhya Pradesh
Type	Artificial and freshwater
Square Area	627 square km

• Indira Sagar Lake located in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, India, is an artificial reservoir created by the Indira Sagar Dam.
•  This lake was primarily built for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control.
• The Indira Sagar Dam is a significant source of hydroelectric power for the region.
• It provides essential water for agriculture and drinking, contributing to regional development.

5. Pangong Lake

Overview
Location	Ladakh
Type	Saline
Square Area	700 square km
Depth	100 m

• This lake connects China and India. China occupies more than 60% of the lake.
• This lake freezes during the harshest winters.
• Thus, the best time is between May and September.
• The lake’s shores are a state stereotype for camping areas.
• Many birds that are migrating can be seen.
• Based on where the sun is in the sky, the lake’s color varies throughout the day.

Check out the linked article on the UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024 Here!

Famous Lakes in India

Kolleru Lake – Andhra Pradesh

• India’s largest lake is situated between the Krishna and Godavari deltas.
• Under the Ramsar treaty, it was designated a wetland of international significance in 2002.

Sambhar Lake – Rajasthan

• The largest inland salt lake in India is Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan.
• It produces 8% salt of total salt production in India
• The Sambhar Lake is mentioned in the Mahabharata as being a component of the demon king Brishparva’s realm.
• Pachbhadra and Didwana are the other salt lakes in Rajasthan.

Pushkar Lake – Rajasthan

• Found in the Rajasthani district of Ajmer’s Pushkar town.
• Hindus revere Pushkar Lake as a sacred body of water.
• During the Kartika Poornima holiday in November, thousands of pilgrims visit to take a dip in the lake.

Lonar Lake- Maharashtra

• Lonar lake is situated in the Buldhana district of Maharastra.
• After a meteorite struck Earth 50000 years ago, the Lonar Lake was created. It is called as a crater lake.
• Lonar Lake’s colour changed to pink overnight recently, Some experts speculate that the pink hue may result from the presence of algae and a low water level.

Pulicat Lake- Andhra Pradesh

• It is the second-largest brackish-water lake or lagoon in India lies in the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
• The Satish Dhawan Space Center, where India’s first successful lunar space mission, the Chandrayaan-1, was launched, is located on the island.

Loktak Lake -Manipur

• North-East India’s largest freshwater lake
• KeibulLamjao, the only floating national park in the world and the final remaining habitat of the critically endangered sangai or Manipur brow-antlered deer, floats above it.
• The Ramsar Convention named it a wetland of world importance in 1990.

Sasthamcotta Lake – Kerala

• Kerala’s largest freshwater lake.
• The existence of a sizable population of cavaborus larva, which eats germs in the lake water, is responsible for the lake’s water’s purity for drinking..

Vembanad Lake -Kerala

• The longest lake in India and the largest lake in the state of Kerala.
• The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of the lake.

Chilka Lake -Odisha

• Chilika Lake is the largest wintering habitat for migrating birds on the Indian subcontinent.
• It is a brackish water coastal lake. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world.

Dal Lake – Jammu Kashmir

• The Dal Lake, also referred to as “Srinagar’s Jewel,” is a lake in Srinagar that is essential to tourism.
• On the shores of Dal Lake is the biggest tulip garden in Asia.
• On the shores of Dal Lake lie the NishatBagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Mughal Gardens.
• World’s only floating post office located in Dal Lake

Nalsarover Lake- Gujarat

• In 1969, Nalsarovar Lake and the marshes nearby were designated as a bird sanctuary.

Tsomgo Lake – Sikkim

• Sikkim’s Tsongmo Lake, also known as Changu Lake, is a glacier lake.
• Located at an elevation of 3753m the lake remains frozen during the winter season.
• The lake serves as the setting for the Guru Purnima festival, during which Jhakris from Sikkim congregate there to take advantage of the lake’s therapeutic properties.

Bhimtal Lake – Uttarakhand

• It is the largest lake in the Kumaon region, which is referred to as India’s “lake district.”
• The lake has a “C” form.

Barapani Lake- Meghalaya

• Shillong is home to Barapani or Umiam Lake, which was created in 1965 as a result of the UmiamUmtru Hydro Electric Power Plant, the first hybrid power project in India’s northeast.

Nainital Lake – Uttarakhand

• Located in the Nainital region, which is also known as India’s Lake District, the lakes are kidney- or crescent-shaped.

Periyar Lake -Kerala

• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a famous elephant reserve and tiger reserve, is situated on the banks of Periyar Lake.
• Periyar Lake was created in 1895 by building a dam across the Mullaperiyar River.

Hussain Sagar Lake – Telengana

• Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali constructed the lake in Hyderabad in 1562, during the reign of Ibrahim QuliQutub Shah.
• Links Hyderabad and Secunderabad, two twin cities.
• The 16-meter-tall, 350-ton monolithic Buddha statue atop the “Rock of Gibraltar” placed in the middle of the lake is a main draw at Hussain Sagar..

Salim Ali Lake – Maharashtra

• It has been renamed in honour of Salim Ali, a famous naturalist and ornithologist who is also referred to as the birdman of India.
• The Salim Ali Sarovar (lake), often referred to as Salim Ali Talab, is situated in Aurangabad close to Delhi Gate and across from HimayatBagh.

Kanwar Lake- Bihar

• The largest freshwater oxbow lake in Asia is the KanwarTaal or KabarTaal Lake.

Nakki Lake – Rajasthan

• The Indian hill town of Mount Abu in the Aravalli range is home to Nakki Lake.
• On February 12, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were scattered into this sacred lake, and Gandhi Ghat was built to honor him.

Bhojtar Lake- Madhya Pradesh

• The largest artificial lake in Asia, sometimes referred to as Upper Lake.
• It is located on the western outskirts of Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh.

Wular Lake – Jammu Kashmir

• The Jhelum River feeds India’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Basin, which was created by geological activity.
• It is an ox-bow lake
• Tulbul Project is situated on it
• Largest fresh water lake in India.

Ashtamudi Lake

• Ashtamudi Lake is located in the Kollam district of Kerala, India.
• The name “Ashtamudi” means “eight coned” in Malayalam, referring to its shape and the eight distinct channels or arms extending from the lake.
• Ashtamudi Lake is part of the backwater system of Kerala and is known for its rich biodiversity, including various species of fish, birds, and plants.

  Pulicat Lake

• The second-largest brackish water lake on the Coromandel Coast is Pulicat Lake.
• It is located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• The lake and the Bay of Bengal are divided by the barrier island of Sriharikota

Salt Water Lakes of India

Sambhar Lake Rajasthan

• Sambhar Lake is India’s largest inland salt lake.
• It is bowl-shaped and surrounds the historic town of Sambhar Lake Town. This town is located on National Highway 8 in Rajasthan, 64 kilometers north of Ajmer and 96 kilometers south of Jaipur.

Artificial Lakes of India

Bhojtal Lake

• The largest artificial lake in Asia, Bhojtal, known as “Upper Lake,” is situated in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• It is an important source of drinking water for the residents of the city.

Gobind Sagar Lake

• Gobind Sagar Lake is a reservoir located in the Una and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh.
• It was created by the Bhakra Dam, which is one of the highest gravity dams in the world.
• The lake is named after Guru Gobind Singh, the eleventh Sikh guru, and is situated on the Sutlej River.

Jaisamand Lake

• Dhebar Lake also known as Jaisamand Lake is the second-largest man-made freshwater lake in India and the country’s first historical lake.
• It is located in the Udaipur District of Rajasthan.

Hussain Sagar Lake

• Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah created the heart-shaped Hussain Sagar Lake near Hyderabad, Telangana in 1563.
• In 1563, Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah built Hussain Sagar to span a Musi River stream.
• Hussain Shah Wali, the Kingdom’s Master of Architecture, was honoured with a lake name.

Chembarambakkam Lake

• Chembarambakkam Lake is located about 25 kilometers from the center of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
• Along with Puzhal Lake, it is one of the two rain-fed reservoirs that supply water to Chennai City.

Natural Lakes of India

Natural Lakes of India	Location
Kolleru Lake	Andhra pradesh
Sambhar Lake	Rajasthan
Pushkar Lake	Rajasthan
Wular lake	Jammu and Kashmir
Pulicat Lake	Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu state border
Loktak Lake	Manipur
Chilka Lake	Odisha
Dal Lake	Srinagar , Kashmir
Sasthamkotta Lake	Kerala
Vembanad Lake	Kerala
Nalsarovar Lake	Gujarat
Salim Ali Lake	Delhi
Kanwar Lake	Bihar

Importance of Lake in India

• Lakes are very useful to people because they are popular tourist spots and offer fun activities like boating and water sports.
• Lakes also help manage water flow during dry seasons and heavy rains, preventing floods.
• Lakes can be used to generate hydropower.
• They also support the environment by preserving aquatic life, enhancing natural beauty, and boosting tourism and recreation. Saltwater lakes can also produce salt.

Important Lakes of India UPSC

Facts	Name of the Lake
Deepest lake in the world	Baikal (fresh water) in Russia
Largest fresh water lake	Lake Superior, between Canada and the USA
Largest lake in the world	Caspian Sea, bounded by Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
Saltiest lake in the world	Dead Sea bounded by Israel, Jordan and West Bank
Lowest lake in the world	Dead Sea between Israel and Jordan
Largest lake in India	Sambhar lake in Rajasthan
Largest fresh-water lake in India	Kolleru lake in Andhra Pradesh
Largest coastal lagoon in India	Chilka lake in Orissa
Sriharikota island is located in	Pulicat lake in Andhra Pradesh
Land of lakes in india	Udaipur, Rajasthan
Country known as land of thousand lakes	Finland

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