A lake is an area of variable size filled with water, localized in a basin, which is surrounded by land, apart from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. It can be classified on the basis of formation and on the quality of the water (freshwater or saltwater).
Uttar Pradesh is blessed by nature. This state comprises of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, the Ghaghra plains, the Ganga plains and the Terai. Gangetic plains in Uttar Pradesh has several ox-bow lakes built by meandering rivers.
Lakes in Uttar Pradesh
Barua Sagar Lake
- It is an old lake constructed by Raja Udit Singh of Orchha. It is situated in Jhansi District.
- Jarai ka Math temple dedicated to Shiv-Parvati, belonging to Later Gupta period is situated here.
- Remnants of two granite Chandela temples and a fort are located nearby. The older one among the Chandela temples is called Ghughua Math.
Radha Kund Lake
- This is a sacred lake situated near Govardhan in Mathura. Mythologically it is linked with Radha and Krishna. The lake is considered the holiest religious site by many Vaishnavites.
- Kusum Sarovar with the surroun dingar chitecture, built by Jat Maharaja Suraj Mai is also located nearby.
Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Lake
- It is the largest artificial lake of India. It is built to act as a reservoir for Rihand Dam.
- It is located at Pipri of Sonbhadra on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- The reservoir water is used for irrigation in downstream areas of Bihar.
- Reservoir water has high alkalinity due to discharge of run off water and dumps from nearby power plants.
Ramgarh Taal
- It is situated in the Gorakhpur district. It lies within the floodplains of the Rapti.
- The lake was formed due to change in course of Rapti and it is located on an earlier course of the river.
- The lake has shrunk due to pollution and encroachment. The UP forest department has notified some areas of the lake as a wetland.
- This lake has tourism potential and it is proposed todevelop for watersports.
Keetham Lake
- It is situated near Agra on Agra-Delhi Highway (NH-2). It is also known as Sur Sarovar lake.
- It is an important site for spotting migratory birds. The lake receives water through Agra canal on the Yamuna.
Bela Sagar Lake
- It is situated in Kulpahar of Mahoba. It was constructed by king Parikshit at the end of 19th century in the memory of his wife.
- It is spread over an area of 8sq km. It is a crucial source to watersupply and irrigation in the nearby villages.
Madan Sagar Lake
- This lake situated in Mahoba is approximately 1,000 years old.
- It was built by Raja Madan Veraman.
- It has steps made of granite and some other architectural works in its surrounding.
Kirti Sagar Lake
- This lake was built by King Kirtivarman in Mahoba.
- It is approximately 1,000 years old and has granite steps.
Bakhira Lake
- It is situated in Sant Kabir Nagar district. It is surrounded by Bakhira Bird Sanctuary.
- It is the largest flood plain wetland of India.
- A large number of migratory birds Hock from Siberia to reach this wetland during winters.
- Its water is also used for irrigation through Bakhira Canal.
Surah Tal
- It is an oxbow lake situated in Ballia. It is connected to Ganga through Kathia Nala.
- The lake and surrounding area have been declared as Surha Tal Bird Sanctuary.
- Many exotic migratory bird speciesare spotted here.
Parvati Anga Bird Sanctuary Lakes
- It is situated in Gonda district. There are two permanent freshwater oxbow lakes.
- Lake and the surrounding area give refuge to threatened species of vulture and many migratory as well as native birds.
- It is declared as Ramsar site.
Saman Bird Sanctuary Lake
- It is located in Mainpuri. There is a seasonal fresh water oxbow lake. It is monsoon fed.
- It is declared as Ramsar site.
- The lake faces the threat of salinisation and encroachment.
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary Lakes
- It has a network of six perennial marshy lakes.
- It is declared as Ramasar site.
- It is situated in Raebareli.
Sarsai Nawar Jheel
- It is a permanent marshy lake in Etawah district.
- It is fed by monsoonal rain.
- It is a known conservation site of Sarus cranes.
- It is recognised as a Ramasar site and also recognised by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area.
List of Major Lakes of Uttar Pradesh
| Lake / Pool / Kund (reservoir) | City |
|---|---|
| Ramgarhtaal and Chiluataal | Gorakhpur |
| Bakhira Jheel | Sant Kabir Nagar |
| Karela and Etauja Jheel | Lucknow |
| Nawabgunj Jheel, Kundra Samundra | Unnao |
| Badataal (Big Pool) (Gokhur) | Shahjahanpur |
| Payag Jheel | Bahraich |
| Parvati and Arga Taal | Gonda |
| Jirgo and Tirsi Lake, Tanda dari Taal | Mirzapur |
| Bhugetaal and Visaithataal | Raibareli |
| Liloor Jheel | Bareli |
| Thithoora Jheel, Morai Taal | Fatehpur |
| Beti, Ajgara and Nuiya Jheel | Pratapgarh |
| Surha Taal | Balia |
| Gaur Jheel | Rampur |
| Shukrataal | Muzzafanagar |
| Raamtaal | Meerut |
| Kimath Taal | Agra |
| Sheikh Jheel | Aligarh |
| Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar (Artificial lake) | Sonbhadra |
| Alwara Jheel | Koshambi |
| Aundhi Taal | Varanasi |
| Raja ka Bandh(King’s Dam), Laundhi and Bhojpur Taal | Sultanpur |
| Darwan Jheel | Faizabad |
| Bal Hapara | Kanpur |
| Lakshmi Taal, Baruasagar and Bhasneh | Jhansi |
| Sagar Taal | Badaun |
| Madan Sagar | Mahoba |
| Pangaili Fulhar or Gomti Taal | Pilibhit |
| Dahar Jheel, Bhijwaan Jheel | Hardoi |
| Devaria Taal | Kannauj |
| Bhakha Jheel | Etawah |
| Sita Kund (Misrikh), Chakra Kund (Naumish) | Sitapur |
| Bharatkund | Ayodhya |
| Radhakund, Shyamkund, Govindkund and Mansi Ganga Kund | Govardhan, Mathura |
| Kokilakund, Krishnakund | Kokila Forest, Mathura |
| Nauh Jheel | Mathura |
| Moti Lake | Kanpur |
| Chittora Lake | Bahraich |
| Bela Sagar | Mahoba |
Facts about the Lakes of Uttar Pradesh
- Keetham Lake can be found in the Keetham Reserve Forest in Agra and is home to more than 106 species of migratory birds such as Siberian cranes, bar-headed geese etc
- The Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Lake (or the Rihand Reservoir) is the largest man-made lake of Uttar Pradesh. It is the second-largest artificial lake in India.
- Ramgarh Tal Lake near Gorakhpur, is famous for the annual Ramgarh Tal Lake Festival featuring cultural programs, boat races, and a variety of other water sports.
- Jai Samand Lake, also called the Shahi Samand Lake, was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is situated near the historic city of Agra.
- Moti Jheel Lake in Bareilly is a famous spot for activities like boating and fishing, and is surrounded by a number of temples and gardens.
- Barua Sagar Tal Lake in Jhansi, is known for its scenic beauty and is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists.
- Sarsai Nawar Lake, located in Etawah, is famous for its pink lotus flowers that are seen blooming during the monsoon season.
- Rani Jheel Lake in Jhansi is a historic lake built by Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi during the time of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
- Samaspur Bird Sanctuary Lake, located in Rae Bareli, is a popular destination for birdwatching and is home to numerous species of migratory birds.
- Siddhauliya Lake in Sitapur is famous for its floating islands, that are created by a unique combination of aquatic plants and soil.