Lake Formation

Hydrology

PLHS

D. Blanck, MS

1. Kettle Lakes• Formed during the process of glacial

retreat.

2. Tarn Lakes• Carved through glacial erosion (plucking)

3. Natural Reservoirs

• The natural drainage of a river is blocked by debris– Volcanic, Landslide,

Beaver Dam, Ice

Glacial Lake Agassiz was an “Ice Block” reservoir.

3a. Manmade reservoirs• Formed after the construction of flood

control or hydroelectric dams

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

4. Oxbow lake

• Cut-off river meanders

5. Rift Zone lake• Form in divergent plate boundary

depressions

6. Crater Lakes

• Form in impact craters and volcanic calderas

Manicouagan Lake, Quebec. Formed 200 million years ago - Impact

Crater Lake, Mt. Mazama, Oregon - Volcanic

7. Karst Lake

• Water fills a sinkhole after the roof of a limestone cave collapses