Loktak Lake

Loktak Lake Facts

The magnificent body of water known as Loktak Lake constitutes one of those locations that will mesmerize and astound you. That’s because this astonishing lake in fact remains very much unlike other lakes throughout the world. Furthermore, it can make this claim for several different reasons. Some of these occur directly, others in an indirect manner.
First of all, the marvelous geological feature holds several directly occurring claims to fame. For starters, this breathtaking body ranks as the largest known freshwater lake in its particular portion of the globe. Secondly, It boasts an incredible array of unique and fascinating, free-floating composite features known as phumdis within its boundaries.
Indirectly, however, the site also remains important within its region of the world. Due to a combination of location and coincidence, it represents the last known refuge for an endangered animal species known as the Sangai. It also forms an important economic function in the region. Many local fisherman rely on it, and it serves as a source of hydroelectric power.
Quite fortunately for those who appreciate Nature, efforts to preserve the region remain underway. Partly due to the presence of the phumdis, the southeastern section of the lake now forms the Keibul Lamjao national park. It’s the only floating national park in the world. The coincidental fact that the spot also forms the last known habitat of the Sangai serves as the other reason for the creation of the park.

Loktak Lake Physical Description

To the surprise of some, the most remarkable thing about the gorgeous Loktak Lake isn’t its physical size. Nevertheless, this marvel of geology does rank as a moderately large freshwater body, even more so in the area in which it formed. Understandably, its dimensions naturally vary over its extent, but certain measurements of the impressive body remain possible.

For starters, the marvelous geological feature has a maximum measured length of roughly 22 mi (35 km). The truly amazing location also has a maximum measure width of about 8 mi (13 km). These dimensions give the natural wonder an overall roughly oblong shape. Furthermore, the site also has a total surface area measuring roughly 111 sq mi (287 sq km).

However, the wonderful Loktak Lake, for all its incredible splendor, may surprise you with its depth. That’s because, for a lake of its other dimensions, one stands out as hard to believe. That holds true due to the fact that its maximum measured depth of reaches a mere 15.1 ft (4.6 m). But the average depth of the unique body only equals a meager 8.9 ft (2.7 m).

Loktak Lake Location, Formation, and Ecology

The fabulous location of the incredibly exotic marvel of Nature called Loktak Lake may come as no surprise to some of you. That’s because the marvel formed in a region already filled with countless other wonders of the natural world. That’s the region now known as the country of India, in Asia. More specifically, it lies in the northeastern part of the land.

In addition to everything else, this site owes its formation to the actions of not one, but two local rivers. These sources bear the local names of the Barak River and the Manipur River. Furthermore, much like the lake itself, these have a gentle slope, and often meander through their flow patterns. The site also has a highly convoluted drainage system, like the roots of a tree.

The area in which Loktak Lake formed has a monsoon climate, and receives copious amounts of rainfall. As a result, it boasts an impressive array of plant life adapted to living in water. In fact, its rich biological diversity includes a total of 233 known species of aquatic plants. However, doubtless the remarkable phumdis, floating islands made of soil, plants, and organic matter, remain the best known.

But, the remarkable list of life the area does not stop there. Firstly, avians thrive here. A total of 57 types of waterbirds live around it, along with 28 varieties of migrating waterfowl, and 14 species wetland birds. Secondly, 249 known species of vertebrates, and 176 types of invertebrates also inhabit the surrounding terrain. But, the best known of these remains the Endangered Sangai, which has no other known habitat.