Lake Water Sources

A lake is a body of water that is surrounded by land. Lakes vary greatly in size. Some measure only a few square meters and are often referred to as ponds. Other lakes are so big that they are called seas. The water in lakes comes from rain, snow, melting ice, streams, and groundwater seepage. Most lakes contain freshwater.

All lakes are either open or closed. If water leaves a lake by a river or other outlet, it is said to be open. All freshwater lakes are open. If water only leaves a lake by evaporation, the lake is closed. Closed lakes usually become saline, or salty. This is because as the water evaporates, it leaves behind solids—mostly salts.

Farmers use lake water to irrigate crops. The effect of very large lakes on climate also helps farmers. Because water does not heat or cool as rapidly as land does, winds blowing from lakes help keep the climate more even.

Lakes supply many communities with water. Artificial lakes are used to store water for times of drought. Lakes formed by dams also provide hydroelectric energy. The water is channeled from the lake to drive generators that produce electricity.

Forsta self-cleaning filters will protect machinery at industrial plants that use lake water, including hydroelectric dams and high purity water filtration plants