Abstract:
In India majority of population still depends upon the natural water resources for fulfilment of most of their requirements. Lakes are the foremost in the natural resources and supplying water for variety of uses. Therefore much attention should be given first to the deteriorating quantity and quality of the lake water. For this purpose, any lake study should first concentrate on monitoring various hydrological variables of the lake and its catchment. A detailed inventory of the lakes and their hydrological problems is to be prepared in a most scientific manner. Further a proper management plan is to be prepared in order to address various problems hydrological problems related to both quality and quantity of water. This paper addresses such and various other issues in general and lakes classification, hydrology of lakes, water balance and management in particular.