List of Important Lakes in India with States (Area-wise)

Introduction:

India is blessed with several natural and man-made lakes spread across various states. These lakes serve as sources of drinking water, irrigation, hydroelectric power, and also as popular tourist destinations. In this article, we will be discussing some of the important lakes in India sorted by states based on their area.

North India:

Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir

• Area: 189 sq km
• Category: Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: It is the largest freshwater lake in India and is surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Nainital Lake, Uttarakhand

• Area: 2.5 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is surrounded by beautiful hills and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Uttarakhand.

Bhimtal Lake, Uttarakhand

• Area: 1.1 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is named after Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers from the Indian epic, Mahabharata.

Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh

• Area: 3 sq km
• Category: Man-made Reservoir
• Important facts: The lake was created by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream flowing from the Shivalik Hills.

Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir

• Area: 18 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is known for its floating gardens, houseboats, and shikaras (wooden boats).

South India:

Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh

• Area: 308 sq km
• Category: Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is a haven for migratory birds, with over 100 species visiting every year.

Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh

• Area: 450 sq km
• Category: Brackish Water Lake
• Important facts: The lake is located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and is the second-largest brackish water lake in India.

Pookode Lake, Kerala

• Area: 13.5 ha
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is surrounded by dense forests and is home to several species of birds and animals.

Vembanad Lake, Kerala

• Area: 2033 sq km
• Category: Backwater Lagoon
• Important facts: The lake is a major tourist attraction in Kerala and is also known as Punnamada Lake.

Ooty Lake, Tamil Nadu

• Area: 2.5 sq km
• Category: Man-made Lake
• Important facts: The lake is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and is a popular spot for boating and picnicking.

Hussain Sagar Lake, Telangana

• Area: 4 sq km
• Category: Artificial Lake
• Important facts: The lake was built during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1562 and is a major tourist attraction in Hyderabad.

West India:

Pichola Lake, Rajasthan

• Area: 6.96 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is surrounded by several historic palaces, including the famous Lake Palace.

Dhebar Lake, Rajasthan

• Area: 27 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: Also known as Jaisamand Lake, it is the second-largest artificial lake in Asia.

Gambhir Lake, Gujarat

• Area: 20 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is an important bird sanctuary and is home to several migratory bird species.

Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh

• Area: 3 sq km
• Category: Artificial Lake
• Important facts: The lake was created in 1958 and has since become a popular tourist spot, offering boating and other recreational activities.

Nakki Lake, Rajasthan

• Area: 0.51 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: According to Hindu legend, the lake was dug by gods using only their nails (nakh in Hindi), hence the name Nakki Lake.

Shivsagar Lake, Maharashtra

• Area: 1,158 sq km
• Category: Artificial Reservoir
• Important facts: The lake is formed by the Koyna Dam and is known for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife.

Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh

• Area: 700 sq km (60% in China, 40% in India)
• Category: Endorheic Lake
• Important facts: The lake is located at an altitude of 4,250 meters and is famous for its ever-changing colors.

Lonar Lake, Maharashtra

• Area: 1.83 sq km
• Category: Natural Saltwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake was formed after a meteorite impact and is a popular tourist spot due to its unique ecology.

Central India:

Upper Lake, Madhya Pradesh

• Area: 31 sq km
• Category: Artificial Lake
• Important facts: Also known as Bada Talab, the lake was created in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj and is the main source of drinking water for the city of Bhopal.

Lower Lake, Madhya Pradesh

• Area: 6 sq km
• Category: Artificial Lake
• Important facts: Also known as Chhota Talab, the lake is connected to the Upper Lake through an underground tunnel.

North East India:

Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim

• Area: 24 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is located at an altitude of 3,753 meters and is sacred to the local Sikkimese people.

Shillong Lake, Meghalaya

• Area: 1 sq km
• Category: Artificial Lake
• Important facts: The lake was created in 1898 by the British and is a popular tourist spot.

Umiam Lake, Meghalaya

• Area: 220 sq km
• Category: Artificial Lake
• Important facts: The lake is an important source of hydroelectric power and is also used for fishing and other recreational activities.

Sasthamkotta Lake, Kerala

• Area: 3.73 sq km
• Category: Natural Freshwater Lake
• Important facts: The lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala and is an important source of drinking water for the surrounding areas.

Significance of Lakes

Type of Lake	Significance
Natural Lakes	Ecological importance for local flora and fauna Support biodiversity and provide habitat for aquatic life Important for local economies, e.g. fishing and tourism Contribute to the natural beauty and cultural heritage of an area
Artificial Lakes	Provide water for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and domestic use Help regulate water supply for agriculture and urban areas Contribute to flood control and water storage Create recreational opportunities for activities like boating, swimming, and fishing

List of Important Lakes in India with States (Area-wise)
Lake	State	Description

Important Facts about Lakes

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
Country known as land of thousand lakes	Finland