Book 30, Question 9
How is a reservoir different from a natural lake?
A reservoir is a lake made by people, usually by building a dam across a river valley.
It stores water for drinking, farming, or electricity. Unlike many natural lakes, reservoirs often have steep, branching shapes because they flood river valleys, and their water levels can rise and fall as people use the water. Natural lakes usually form in basins made by ice, rock movement, or volcanoes.
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Quick answers
How is a reservoir different from a natural lake?
A reservoir is the same thing as a lake in many peoples' minds.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
More fun facts
- A lake is where surface-water runoff and groundwater seepage have accumulated in a low spot in the landscape.
- A lake really is just another component of Earth's surface water.
- Lakes are an important component of the natural water cycle.
- On the landscape, freshwater is stored in rivers, wetlands, lakes, reservoirs, creeks, and streams.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey