Lake

A lake is a body of inland water occupying a depression in Earth's surface. Lakes are distinct from flowing rivers and from seas connected to the ocean.

Lake basin: A depression in the land that collects and holds lake water. Its shape and depth define the lake’s boundaries and storage capacity.
Glacial lake: A lake formed or reshaped by glacial erosion, meltwater, or deposits. Glaciers excavate basins and leave deposits that can impound water.
Drinking water: Water treated for human consumption. Many communities draw drinking water from lakes and their connected watersheds.
Freshwater ecosystem: An ecological system in inland waters with low concentrations of dissolved salts. Most lakes are freshwater ecosystems structured by interactions among organisms and their environment.
Watershed: An area of land whose surface water drains to a shared outlet. Rain and runoff from this area supply the lake.
Tectonic lake: A lake occupying a basin formed by movement or deformation of Earth's crust. Crustal subsidence can create exceptionally deep, long-lived lake basins.
Hydroelectricity: Electricity generated by harnessing the energy of moving or falling water. Reservoir lakes can store water and regulate flows for power generation.
Lake effect snow: Snowfall produced when cold air gains heat and moisture while crossing relatively warm lake water. Large lakes can intensify winter snowfall downwind of their shores.
Water balance: An accounting of water inputs, outputs, and storage changes in a system. It determines whether the lake rises, falls, or remains stable.
Thermal stratification: The separation of lake water into layers with different temperatures and densities. It explains why surface and deep waters may remain isolated for months.

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