Lecture-2-Introduction to Lakes and Their Hydrology.

Abstract

Water in rivers and lakes amount to be less than 1% of (by volume) the world's water budget but its importance to life and human geography is enormous. It is estimated that the world's lakes contain about four times more fresh water than its river, yet curiously enough they are more euphoiral. Still lakes are used extensively in many countries as the natural centers of civilization. In India, even during Maurya period (320 BC) a major reservoir called Sudarshana Lake was made at the floor of Mount Girnar in Western India (Winderlich etal., 1987). A lake plays a significant role in shaping the hydrological, ecological, environmental, socio-economical balance of that region and the country as a whole. Lake is also a place for sanctuary for migrating birds, development of flora and fauna and an excellent spot for habitation of aquatic biota which are important for maintaining the ecological and environmental balance and the hydrological cycle.