lakes in kerala

KAILASANATHAN ESARAVIND ES

LAKES IN KERALA

Kerala is popularly called as “GOD’S OWN COUNTRY”Kerala is rich with 44 rivers which together yield

70300 Mm³of water annually. The Periyar, the Bharathapuzha, the Pamba, the

Chalakudy Puzha, the Kadalundipuzha and the Achancoil

The Kerala Lakes &Backwaters region is a particularly well-recognized feature of Kerala

It is an interconnected system of brackish water lakes and river estuaries that lies inland from the coast and runs virtually the length of the state

It consists of 15 major lakes.

INTRODUCTION

MAJOR LAKESAkkulam lakeAshtamudi lakeEnamakkal lakeKayamkulam lakeMala lakeManur lakeMeenappally lakeKavvayi lake

Paravur lakeThottappally lakeVattak lakeVeli lakeVellayani lakeVembanad lakeBeppur lakePookode lake

Second largest and deepest wetland ecosystem in KeralaAshta-8 , Mudi- Conned…..Shape of the lake is like

OctapusA lake with multiple branches & gateway to the

backwaters of KeralaThe lake is the source of livelihood for the people living

close to it in fishing, coconut husk retting for coir production and inland navigation services.

Kollam is an important historic port city located on the right bank of the lake

Kallada River is a major river discharging into the Ashtamudi Lake

ASHTAMUDI LAKE

Location : Kollam District, Kerala

Primary inflows: Kallada RiverCatchment area: 1,700 km2 (660 sq mi)Basin countries: IndiaSurface area: 61.4 km2 (23.7 sq mi)Max. depth: 6.4 m (21 ft)Water volume: 76,000,000,000

km3(1.8×1010 cu mi)

CHARACTERISTICS

Intense anthropogenic pressure.Oil spills from thousands of fishing boats and

from industries in the surrounding area.Large quantities of untreated sewage, disposal

of human excreta, and the pollution from paper mills, industries (aluminum, ceramics, seafood), as well as from coconut husk retting.

Many fish species may have become extinct due to lack of spawning facilities on the banks of the lake due to canalization of the lake’s banks by walls built of laterite and granite stones

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Longest and the largest lake in the state of KeralaSpanning several districts

(Alappuzha ,eranakulam,kottayam )in the state of Kerala

It is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad,Kochi Lake in Kochi.

Total area drained by the lake is 15,770 km²,which accounts for 40% of the area of Kerala

Kumarakom backwaters is one of d famous tourist spot in Kerala

VEMBANAD LAKE

Primary inflows:Achenkovil, Manimala,Meenachil, Muvattupuzha,Pamba, Periyar

Primary outflows: Several canalsBasin countries: IndiaMax. length: 96.5 kmMax. width: 14 kmSurface area: 2033 km²Max. depth: 12 mSurface elevation: 0 mIslands: Pathiramanal, Perumbalam,Pallippuram

CHARACTERISTICS

It is located below MSL.Salt water intrusion is more.A 1252 m long Thanneermukkom salt water

barrier constructed as a part of the Kuttanad Development Scheme to prevent tidal action and intrusion of salt water into the Kuttanad low-lands

It divides the lake into two parts - one with brackish water perennially and the other half with fresh water fed by the rivers draining into the lake

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Severely restricted the natural flushing of pollutants

Growth of Water Hyacinth in fresh waterIf it is not controlled, it restricts the water

flow, blocks sunlight, reduce DO level and even kills fishes

It also create a prime habitat for mosquitos, the classic vectors of disease

Contd…

The largest fresh water lake in Thiruvananthapuram district

There was a move to drain the lake and use the reclaimed area for agriculture

It was resisted by locals and environmentalists and has been shelved

Illegal sand mining, pollution and land reclamation is affecting the condition of the lake

VELLAYANI LAKE

Location: Thrissur District , Kerala

Basin countries: IndiaMax. area: 25 sq.kmIt is a fresh water lake On western side of the lake, it is protected by

a bund to control the salt waterKeecheri River and Viyyoor River joins

Enamakkal Lake

ENAMAKKAL LAKE

Location: Payyannur , KeralaPrimary inflows: Kavvayi RiverBasin countries: IndiaSurface area: 37 km²Islands: Valiyaparamba, KavvayiIt is the third largest backwaters in Kerala and the

largest one in north KeralaDotted with several small and big islandsMain source of income come from agriculture and

fishingBiggest wetland ecosystem in north KeralaHome to a variety of fauna and flora

KAVVAYI LAKE

Location: Paravur, KeralaPrimary inflows: Ithikkara RiverBasin countries: IndiaSurface area: 6.62 km²Although it is small , it is the end point of

Ithikara river and part of the system of lakes and canals that make up the kerala backwaters.

PARAVUR KAYAL

Location: Wayanad, districPrimary inflows: Kabani RiverBasin countries: IndiaSurface area: 8.5 hectares Max. depth: 6.5 mNatural freshwater lake with Altitude of 2100 meters above sea

levelLake has the shape of India's map.Pethia pookodensis, is a species of cyprinid fish known to occur

only in Pookode LakeThe forests surrounding the lake hold many wild animals, birds

and fliesThere are groups of Blue water lily flowers scattered here and

there in the lake.

POOKODE LAKE

Location: Kozhikode, KeralaType: Man-madeMax. length: 130 mMax. width: 109 mSurface area: 14,120 m2

Manmade fresh water lake located in centre of the cityRectangular in shape and fed by natural springIt is an important source for drinking water, but is

susceptible to pollution from municipal sewage, domestic waste and pollutants from nearby textile factories

It was particularly bacteriologically contaminated during the monsoon season and was highly alkaline

MANANCHIRA LAKE :Man Made Lake