Lacustrine Basins | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Lacustrine Basins
In a number of places flat basins that have been formed by ancient lake
bottoms arising out of the rise of Middle Himalaya ranges, are found. In due
course of time, rivers cut through obstructions to drain out these lakes. Such
basins occur in Kamola valley (a tributary of the Yamuna), around Baijnath
in the Garur Valley (north of Kausani in Bageshwar district), and around the
basins of Bhimtal and Naukuchiyatal in the Nainital district. A pair of such
basin is present in the Bhagirathi Valley at Dharali and Jhala.
The Himalayan valleys have undergone intermittent upheavels, and each
upheavels has caused a rejuvenation, probably a consequence of uplift and is
reflected by steepening of the transeverse V-shaped valleys in many
Himalayan rivers. This is also shown by river terraces, incised meanders, and
knick-points in the form of water falls etc. Geologists have recognized the
continued deepening of incised meanders of the Bhagirathi between Tehri
and Gangotri and also the terraces adjoining Balia river, near Ranibagh in
Nainital district. Extensive river terraces are found at Srinagar-Kirtinagar and
Tehri-Chham.
Lakes in Uttarakhand
The state is dotted with multiple lakes in highland as well as low lying
regions. Based upon the manner in which they are formed lakes can be
classified as-
1. Glacial lakes
2. Erosional lakes
3. Tectonic lakes
4. Temporary lakes (blocked lakes)
5. Artificial lakes
 
1. Glacial lakes- these lakes are found in higher reaches of Himalaya where
95% of lakes are of glacial type. Glaciers are a major source of erosion as
they scoop up bedrock and redistribute the loose material resulting in
formation of large basins. This leads to formation of cirque lakes like Roop
Kund, Vasuki Tal, Pari Tal etc. These lakes are found both in glacier and
Page 2


Lacustrine Basins
In a number of places flat basins that have been formed by ancient lake
bottoms arising out of the rise of Middle Himalaya ranges, are found. In due
course of time, rivers cut through obstructions to drain out these lakes. Such
basins occur in Kamola valley (a tributary of the Yamuna), around Baijnath
in the Garur Valley (north of Kausani in Bageshwar district), and around the
basins of Bhimtal and Naukuchiyatal in the Nainital district. A pair of such
basin is present in the Bhagirathi Valley at Dharali and Jhala.
The Himalayan valleys have undergone intermittent upheavels, and each
upheavels has caused a rejuvenation, probably a consequence of uplift and is
reflected by steepening of the transeverse V-shaped valleys in many
Himalayan rivers. This is also shown by river terraces, incised meanders, and
knick-points in the form of water falls etc. Geologists have recognized the
continued deepening of incised meanders of the Bhagirathi between Tehri
and Gangotri and also the terraces adjoining Balia river, near Ranibagh in
Nainital district. Extensive river terraces are found at Srinagar-Kirtinagar and
Tehri-Chham.
Lakes in Uttarakhand
The state is dotted with multiple lakes in highland as well as low lying
regions. Based upon the manner in which they are formed lakes can be
classified as-
1. Glacial lakes
2. Erosional lakes
3. Tectonic lakes
4. Temporary lakes (blocked lakes)
5. Artificial lakes
 
1. Glacial lakes- these lakes are found in higher reaches of Himalaya where
95% of lakes are of glacial type. Glaciers are a major source of erosion as
they scoop up bedrock and redistribute the loose material resulting in
formation of large basins. This leads to formation of cirque lakes like Roop
Kund, Vasuki Tal, Pari Tal etc. These lakes are found both in glacier and
periglacier regions. Bedni Kund, Nandi Kund, Dayara Lake are some
examples of lakes formed in periglacial regions due to frost action resulting
in formation of pentagonal or polygonal lake forms.
2. Erosional lakes- lakes are also formed due to erosional activity of water,
air and ice. While glacial lakes have been explained above, lakes due to
wind erosion are not found in state as climate is not suitable for it. A
number of lakes have been formed due to fluvial erosion by rivers through
corrosion, collision and attrition forming basins which retain water thus
forming lakes.
3. Tectonic lakes- these lakes form due to tectonic activities of folding and
faulting led by internal forces. Folding and faulting results in formation of
basins, which when filled by water form lakes. Nainital and Bhimtal are
examples of tectonic lakes.
4. Temporary lakes- these lakes are formed due to landslides which blocks
river water to form lakes. These lakes may cause catastrophic disasters
because when pressure of water increases the weak material may not
sustain it and Lake Breakdown takes place. Gohna Lake is one such lake.
5. Artificial lakes- these lakes are manmade lakes which are created for
purposes of electricity generation, drinking water or irrigation along the
rivers by building dams or barrage. Tehri Lake, Nanaksagar in Udham
Singh Nagar district are its example.
Khals and Kunds- khals are small ponds formed along the rivers or
gadheras. In some regions these structures dry up during dry season. Kunds
have religious significance and are constructed either around natural sources
of water like springs or filled with water artificially.
Lake District Lake District
Brahma tal Chamoli Surya kund Uttarkashi
Beni tal Chamoli Dayara lake Uttarkashi
Chorabari Chamoli Sahastra bahu tal Uttarkashi
Roop kund Chamoli Nainital Nainital
Satopanth Chamoli Bhimtal Nainital
Vasudhara Chamoli Naukuchiyatal Nainital
Page 3


Lacustrine Basins
In a number of places flat basins that have been formed by ancient lake
bottoms arising out of the rise of Middle Himalaya ranges, are found. In due
course of time, rivers cut through obstructions to drain out these lakes. Such
basins occur in Kamola valley (a tributary of the Yamuna), around Baijnath
in the Garur Valley (north of Kausani in Bageshwar district), and around the
basins of Bhimtal and Naukuchiyatal in the Nainital district. A pair of such
basin is present in the Bhagirathi Valley at Dharali and Jhala.
The Himalayan valleys have undergone intermittent upheavels, and each
upheavels has caused a rejuvenation, probably a consequence of uplift and is
reflected by steepening of the transeverse V-shaped valleys in many
Himalayan rivers. This is also shown by river terraces, incised meanders, and
knick-points in the form of water falls etc. Geologists have recognized the
continued deepening of incised meanders of the Bhagirathi between Tehri
and Gangotri and also the terraces adjoining Balia river, near Ranibagh in
Nainital district. Extensive river terraces are found at Srinagar-Kirtinagar and
Tehri-Chham.
Lakes in Uttarakhand
The state is dotted with multiple lakes in highland as well as low lying
regions. Based upon the manner in which they are formed lakes can be
classified as-
1. Glacial lakes
2. Erosional lakes
3. Tectonic lakes
4. Temporary lakes (blocked lakes)
5. Artificial lakes
 
1. Glacial lakes- these lakes are found in higher reaches of Himalaya where
95% of lakes are of glacial type. Glaciers are a major source of erosion as
they scoop up bedrock and redistribute the loose material resulting in
formation of large basins. This leads to formation of cirque lakes like Roop
Kund, Vasuki Tal, Pari Tal etc. These lakes are found both in glacier and
periglacier regions. Bedni Kund, Nandi Kund, Dayara Lake are some
examples of lakes formed in periglacial regions due to frost action resulting
in formation of pentagonal or polygonal lake forms.
2. Erosional lakes- lakes are also formed due to erosional activity of water,
air and ice. While glacial lakes have been explained above, lakes due to
wind erosion are not found in state as climate is not suitable for it. A
number of lakes have been formed due to fluvial erosion by rivers through
corrosion, collision and attrition forming basins which retain water thus
forming lakes.
3. Tectonic lakes- these lakes form due to tectonic activities of folding and
faulting led by internal forces. Folding and faulting results in formation of
basins, which when filled by water form lakes. Nainital and Bhimtal are
examples of tectonic lakes.
4. Temporary lakes- these lakes are formed due to landslides which blocks
river water to form lakes. These lakes may cause catastrophic disasters
because when pressure of water increases the weak material may not
sustain it and Lake Breakdown takes place. Gohna Lake is one such lake.
5. Artificial lakes- these lakes are manmade lakes which are created for
purposes of electricity generation, drinking water or irrigation along the
rivers by building dams or barrage. Tehri Lake, Nanaksagar in Udham
Singh Nagar district are its example.
Khals and Kunds- khals are small ponds formed along the rivers or
gadheras. In some regions these structures dry up during dry season. Kunds
have religious significance and are constructed either around natural sources
of water like springs or filled with water artificially.
Lake District Lake District
Brahma tal Chamoli Surya kund Uttarkashi
Beni tal Chamoli Dayara lake Uttarkashi
Chorabari Chamoli Sahastra bahu tal Uttarkashi
Roop kund Chamoli Nainital Nainital
Satopanth Chamoli Bhimtal Nainital
Vasudhara Chamoli Naukuchiyatal Nainital
Vasuki Chamoli Sukhatal Nainital
Rishi kund Chamoli Khurpatal Nainital
Hem kund Chamoli Sat tal Nainital
Kagabhusandi Chamoli Harish tal Nainital
Bedmi kund Chamoli Masar kund Pithoragarh
Dodi tal Uttarkashi Apsara lake Tehri
Nachiket tal Uttarkashi Nandi kund Rudraprayag
Kedar tal Uttarkashi Maindagalla Rudraprayag