Lakes and Their Importance

Study Notes

Lakes are bodies of water surrounded by land, typically formed by natural processes like glacial activity, tectonic activity, or river erosion.
Lakes range in size from small ponds to large, deep bodies of water.
Types of lakes include glacial (meltwater), tectonic (earth movement), and riverine (river-formed).
Lake morphology (shape and size) and bathymetry (underwater depth contours) affect water quality and biodiversity.
Nutrient levels and acidity influence the organisms present.
Lakes are crucial ecosystems, supporting diverse aquatic life and influencing surrounding environments.
Lakes are vital sources of drinking water and support human activities like fishing and recreation.
Lake ecosystems are vulnerable to pollution and human-induced changes.
Inflow streams alter lake temperature and pH.
Temperature layering (stratification) in lakes affects circulation and oxygen levels.

Rivers are flowing bodies of water carrying water from higher to lower elevations, fed by precipitation, groundwater, and meltwater.
River systems have watersheds (areas draining into the river).
Rivers are dynamic, constantly changing their shape and course.
Rivers are crucial components of the water cycle, transporting water to oceans and impacting surroundings.
River morphology (shape and size) varies based on gradient, discharge, and channel geometry.
Rivers erode and transport sediments, shaping landscapes through deposition and erosion.
River flow is influenced by rainfall, snowmelt, dams, and human activities.
River velocity affects sediment-carrying capacity; faster flows carry more sediment.
River characteristics differ based on surrounding geology and geography.
River deltas form where rivers meet oceans or lakes.
River discharge is the volume of water passing a point per unit time.
Riverbeds are shaped by erosion, deposition, and the interaction of water and sediments.
Human activities, like dam construction, significantly alter river flow and sediment transport.
River ecosystems support diverse aquatic life and plant communities, with intricate food webs.
Rivers carry nutrients and pollution.
Rivers are vital for transportation, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.