Artificial lakes in India are built for industrial or agricultural uses, hydroelectric power generation or residential water supply, aesthetic or recreational purposes, or both. Man-made reservoirs, often known as artificial lakes, are vital sources of water in many nations across the world. This article will explain to you the Artificial Lakes in India which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Definition

• Artificial lakes, also known as reservoirs, are utilized as a supply of water all over the world.
• Artificial lakes are often built by diverting a part of a river and storing the water in a reservoir behind a dam.
• Water flow and precipitation contribute to the reservoir throughout seasonal shifts, preventing evaporation.
• They are also constructed by digging land or by using dykes to enclose the water.
• Artificial lakes come in a variety of sizes, each with its own purpose for home or industrial use, such as irrigation, stormwater management, electricity, and resource storage.

Artificial Lakes in India

Bhojtal Lake

• Bhojtal, formerly known as 'Upper Lake,' is Asia's largest manmade lake, located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• It is an important supply of drinking water for the city's people.
• Bhojtal is located in the west-central section of Bhopal city, bordered by the Van Vihar National Park on the south, human settlements on the east and north, and agricultural areas on the west.
• The Upper Lake's catchment is largely rural, with some developed areas towards its eastern end.
• The Kolans River was once a tributary of the Halali River, but with the construction of the lake via an earthen dam and a diversion canal, the upper course of the Kolans River and Bada Talab now flow into the Kaliasot River.

Gobind Sagar Lake

• Gobind Sagar Lake is a reservoir in the Himachal Pradesh districts of Una and Bilaspur.
• The Bhakra Dam is responsible for its formation.
• The reservoir is named after Guru Gobind Singh, the eleventh Sikh guru, and is located on the Sutlej River. The Bhakra Dam is one of the world's highest gravity dams.
• The lake was designated as a 'waterfowl sanctuary' in 1962.
• Even now, the Gobind sagar lake is home to several bird and animal species, including the Panther, Wolf, Chausinga, Sambar, Hyena, Sloth bear, Nilgai, Chinkara, and wild boar.
• The water level at Gobind Sagar Lake is constantly changing. In the reservoir, one may participate in a variety of sports.

Jaisamand Lake

• Dhebar Lake, also known as Jaisamand Lake, is India's first and world's oldest historical lake, as well as the country's second-biggest man-made freshwater lake.
• It is in the Rajasthan state of western India, in the Udaipur District.
• The tribe of Bhil Minas occupies all three islands in Jaisamand Lake.
• Jaisamand Lake was built in the 17th century by Maharaja Jai Singh using the waters of the Gomti River.
• The lake is a natural and serene retreat surrounded by hills and with a number of summer mansions along its edge.
• On the lake, there are eleven islands, some of which serve as a haven for numerous species of migratory birds.

Hussain Sagar Lake

• Hussain Sagar lake is a heart-shaped lake in Hyderabad, Telangana that was established in 1563 by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah.
• Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah constructed Hussain Sagar over a stream of the Musi River in 1563.
• The lake was named after Hussain Shah Wali, the Kingdom's Master of Architecture.
• It is a man-made lake that is perpetually supplied by canals from the Musi River.
• Prior to the construction of Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar on the Musi River, Hussain Sagar was the primary source of water supply to Hyderabad.
• The Buddha statue was carved from 450-ton white granite rock. For two years, 200 sculptors worked on it.

Chembarambakkam lake

• Chembarambakkam Lake is a lake in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, around 25 kilometers from the city center.
• It is one of two rain-fed reservoirs that draw water for delivery to Chennai City, the other being Puzhal Lake.
• This lake is the source of the Adyar River. This lake serves as a source of water for Chennai city.
• Puliyur Kottam is another name for Chembarambakkam Lake. Its turquoise waters contrast well with the many plant types.

Conclusion

Man-made lakes usually referred to as reservoirs, are used as water supplies all throughout the world. Man-made lakes are often built by diverting a part of a river and storing the water in a reservoir behind a dam. Artificial lakes occur in a range of sizes, each serving a specific function for residential or commercial usage, such as irrigation, stormwater management, energy, and resource storage.

FAQs

Question: What are artificial lakes?

Question: Which is the largest artificial lake in India?

Question: What are the purposes of artificial lakes?

Question: How are artificial lakes different from natural lakes?

Question: Which city is known as the 'City of Lakes' in India?

MCQs

Q 1: Which of the following is the largest artificial lake in India?

a) Dhebar Lake

b) Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar

c) Rana Pratap Sagar

d) Hussain Sagar

Q 2: Which of the following artificial lakes is located in Rajasthan?

a) Vembanad Lake

b) Upper Lake

c) Dhebar Lake

d) Dal Lake

Q 3: Which lake was created by the construction of the Rihand Dam?

a) Sardar Sarovar

b) Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar

c) Bhakra Nangal Lake

d) Tehri Lake

Q 4: Which artificial lake is known for its scenic beauty in Udaipur, Rajasthan?

a) Loktak Lake

b) Wular Lake

c) Dal Lake

d) Lake Pichola

Q 5: Which lake in India was built by Maharana Jai Singh in the 17th century?

a) Sukhna Lake

b) Jaisamand Lake

c) Fateh Sagar Lake

d) Chilika Lake

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Examine the role of artificial lakes in sustainable water resource management in India.

Answer: Artificial lakes play a key role in sustainable water resource management by storing water for irrigation, drinking purposes, and hydropower generation. They help regulate water supply during droughts, aid in flood control, and contribute to groundwater recharge. Large reservoirs like the Bhakra Nangal and Sardar Sarovar support agricultural productivity and provide drinking water to millions, making them essential in water-scarce regions of India.

Q2: Discuss the environmental and socio-economic impacts of artificial lakes in India.

Answer: Artificial lakes have significant socio-economic benefits, such as enhancing irrigation, generating hydropower, and supporting fisheries and tourism. However, they also pose environmental challenges like the submergence of land, displacement of communities, and disruption of local ecosystems. Balancing the benefits of water storage and power generation with environmental sustainability remains a challenge for policymakers.

Q3 : Analyze the importance of artificial lakes in managing water scarcity and promoting agricultural sustainability in India.

Answer: Artificial lakes help manage water scarcity in regions with irregular rainfall by providing a dependable source of water for agriculture. By storing rainwater and river water, these lakes ensure a year-round supply for irrigation, improving crop productivity and reducing the risks of drought. Projects like the Rihand Dam and Sardar Sarovar have been instrumental in promoting agricultural sustainability, especially in water-scarce regions of northern and western India.

Previous Year Questions on Artificial Lakes in India 

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018:

Question: Which of the following lakes is an artificial lake in India?

A. Wular Lake

B. Jaisamand Lake

C. Vembanad Lake

D. Dal Lake

Answer: (B) Jaisamand Lake

Explanation: Jaisamand Lake, also called Dhebar Lake, is an artificial lake located in Rajasthan and was constructed in the 17th century by Maharana Jai Singh. It is one of the largest artificial lakes in India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2016 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the significance of artificial lakes in water conservation and management in India.

Answer: Artificial lakes play a crucial role in water conservation, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. They provide a reliable source of water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use, contributing to agricultural sustainability and economic growth. Artificial lakes also help in flood control, recharge groundwater levels, and generate hydropower. Examples like Sardar Sarovar and Bhakra Nangal reservoirs illustrate how such lakes aid in managing water resources effectively.

3. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: Which of the following is the main purpose of artificial lakes in India?

A. Wildlife conservation

B. Hydropower generation and irrigation

C. Ecotourism

D. Natural habitat creation

Answer: (B) Hydropower generation and irrigation

Explanation: The primary purposes of artificial lakes in India are hydropower generation and irrigation. Many artificial lakes, like Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar, were built to support both energy needs and agricultural irrigation.