Lakes of Bihar List District-wise, Locations and Key Facts

Explore major lakes of Bihar, including Kanwar Lake, Baraila Lake, and others. Learn their locations, types, ecological importance, and key facts for exams.

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Bihar, though primarily known for its river systems like the Ganga and Kosi, also has several important lakes and wetlands that play a crucial role in ecology, biodiversity, irrigation, and tourism. These lakes, mostly located in north and central Bihar, are vital for fisheries, bird habitats, and groundwater recharge. Read this article to get a list of Lakes of Bihar District-wise, locations, and Key Facts.

Lakes of Bihar

Bihar, though primarily known for its vast river network, is also home to several important lakes and wetlands that contribute significantly to the state’s ecology and economy. Most of these lakes are formed as oxbow lakes due to the shifting courses of rivers like the Ganga and Gandak. They support rich biodiversity, serve as habitats for migratory birds, and play a crucial role in fisheries, irrigation, and groundwater recharge.

From the expansive Kanwar Lake to regionally significant water bodies like Baraila Lake, these lakes are vital natural resources. Understanding the lakes of Bihar is important not only for environmental awareness but also for competitive exams like UPSC and BPSC.

Key Facts

Largest Lake: Kanwar Lake
Ramsar Site: Kanwar Lake (2020)
Most lakes are oxbow lakes formed by rivers
Important for birds, fisheries, and flood control

Major Lakes of Bihar

S. No.	Lake Name	Location (District)	Type	Key Features
1	Kanwar Lake	Begusarai	Oxbow Lake	Largest freshwater lake in Asia; Ramsar Site (2020); migratory birds
2	Baraila Lake	Vaishali	Freshwater Lake	Rich biodiversity supports fisheries and irrigation
3	Kusheshwar Asthan Wetland	Darbhanga	Seasonal Wetland	Bird sanctuary; floodwater storage
4	Goga Lake	Katihar	Natural Lake	Important for local irrigation and fishing
5	Moti Jheel	East Champaran	Urban Lake	Historical importance: linked to the Champaran movement
6	Udaypur Lake	West Champaran	Natural Lake	Scenic beauty; tourism potential

Check Here: Important Lakes of India

Major Lakes of Bihar in Detail

The largest wetland, including the lakes of India, is in the Indo-Gangetic flood plain, of which Bihar accounts for 273,395 hectares. The lakes of north Bihar are dependent upon six major tributaries of the Ganga flowing out from the central Himalaya onto the plains between the Nepalese border and the Ganga itself.

From the Gandak river in the west to the Mahananda river in the east, the northern part of the Gangetic plains is studded with numerous small freshwater lakes and chaurs, the vast majority of which are oxbow lakes marking the historical courses of the Bayanadi, Burhi Gandak, Sapt Kosi and Mahananda rivers.
Most of the lakes are 100-200 ha, but some exceed 1,000 ha in area. There are more than 14,000 ha under chaurs in Darbhanga district alone. The other major lake, Kawar in Begusari district, covers an area of 7,400 ha. It is considered one of South Asia’s largest freshwater lakes.

Kanwar Lake

Kanwar Lake is located in Manjhol village in Begusarai district of Bihar The total area of this lake is 16 square kilometers Construction of Kanwar Lake was done by spilling of Gandak River More than 60 species of birds come from Central Asia to live in this lake during cold days Also, Siberian birds appear here in both November and December All in all, this lake is famous for its habitat of birds About 106 species of birds, both Indian and foreign, live here

Muchalinda Lake

It is located in the Bihar town of Bodhgaya. At this lake, Buddha used to practice his meditation. The statue of Lord Buddha is situated in the middle of the lake and is shown in a position of meditation. In essence, it is a lovely pond surrounded by vegetation.

Ghora Katora Lake

This lake is located near Rajgir, Bihar’s Nalanda district and is surrounded by Hills. It is situated next to the World Peace Pagoda and encircled by lush landscapes.

Kusheshwar Asthan Lake

It is been located in Darbhanga’s Kusheshwar. In 1972, Kusheshwar Lake was designated as a bird sanctuary. Its size fluctuates between 20 sq km and 100 sq km. Its area tends to grow excessively as a result of the rainy season’s intense precipitation. This lake receives water from lakes like Kamla, Kareh, etc. It is renowned for producing fish. During the winter, migrating birds such the Pelicia Damatia and Siberian Crane stop by Kusheshwar Lake.

Gogabill Lake

It is situated in the district of Kathihar. It extends upto 218 acres in total. One of the biggest wetlands in Bihar is this one. It joins the Ganga and Mahananda rivers when the water level is high due to heavy rain or flooding. It functions as a sanctuary for birds, pets, and other aquatic and land species. Around 300 migrating birds from the Siberian region and the Caspian Sea visit it throughout the winter and monsoon seasons.

Anupam Lake

Anupam Lake is a natural lake that can be found in the Bihar region of Kaimur. It is a beautiful picture as the lake’s crystal-clear water reflects the surrounding vegetation. For those who enjoy the outdoors and photography, the lake is the ideal location because it provides many chances to capture its tranquil beauty.

Matsyagandha Lake

In Northern Bihar, there is a man-made lake called Matsyagandha Lake. It is located in the Saharsa district’s Sattar Kataiya block.

Kharagpur Lake

Located in Kusheshwar in the Darbhanga district of Bihar state, this lake is also known as Kusheshwar Sthan Lake. This lake is also famous for its habitat of birds. This lake is home to a large number of birds, so this lake was declared a bird sanctuary in 1972.

By the way, the area of this lake is 20 square kilometres, but when it rains in the rainy season, the area of the lake increases due to excessive water and reaches 100 square kilometres.

Ghogha Lake

It is located in Manihari, Katihar and its area is around 5 sq km. The birds of India are mainly seen in this lake. The trend of migratory birds in this lake is very low. Also, this lake is not very popular among the people of Bihar. Also, there are many small lakes around the Ghogha lake, which become one due to flooding, and the area of this lake increases considerably.

Simri-Bakhtiyarpur Lake

Actually, this lake in the Simri-Bakhtiyarpur region of the Saharsa district in the Indian state of Bihar is the result of the convergence of numerous smaller lakes. Additionally, this lake doesn’t expand as much as other lakes do. It contains lakes with names like Muniya, Sardia, Kumibi, Gobra, etc.

Ecological Importance of Lakes in Bihar

Support wetland ecosystems and biodiversity
Provide habitat for migratory birds
Help in flood control and water storage
Promote fisheries and local livelihoods
Recharge groundwater levels

Challenges Faced by Lakes

Encroachment and urbanization
Pollution and eutrophication
Decline in water levels
Climate change impacts
Lack of proper conservation measures

Conservation Efforts

Recognition of wetlands like Kanwar Lake as a Ramsar Site
Government initiatives for wetland protection
Promotion of eco-tourism and awareness

Conclusion

The lakes of Bihar, though fewer compared to other states, hold immense ecological, economic, and cultural significance. Protecting these water bodies is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring sustainable development in the region.

Lakes of Bihar FAQs

How many lakes are there in Bihar?

The main lakes found in the northern Bihar plain are Kanwar Lake, Kusheshwar Lake, Ghogha Lake (Ghogha Chap), Simri Bakhtiyarpur Jhol, Udaipur Jhol, etc.