YaniraRolando4 at 09:40, 14 August 2025

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{{Short description|Artificial lake in tamilnadu}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Kodaikanal Lake
| native_name = {{native name|ta|கொடைக்கானல் ஏரி}}
| other_name = Kodai Lake
| image = Kodaikanal lake.jpg
| alt = Boats on Kodaikanal lake
| caption =
| pushpin_map = Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_map_alt = Location within Tamil Nadu
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = [[Kodaikanal]], [[Dindigul district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coords = {{coord|10.2344|N|77.4863|E|type:waterbody_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries = India
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|24|ha|abbr=on}}
| depth = {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|11|m|abbr=on}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore = {{convert|4.4|km|abbr=on}}
| elevation = {{convert|2133|m|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities = [[Kodaikanal]]
}}
'''Kodaikanal Lake''' ({{langx|ta|கொடைக்கானல் ஏரி}}), also known as '''Kodai Lake''', is a manmade lake located in the [[Kodaikanal]] city in [[Dindigul district]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. Sir Vere Henry Levinge,<ref>{{cite web|author=Sir Vere Henry Levinge 1819 - 1885 |url=http://genealogy.links.org/links-cgi/readged?/home/ben/camilla-genealogy/current+c-levinge31431+2-2-0-1-0 |title={Sir} Vere Henry LEVINGE |publisher=Genealogy.links.org |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref> the then Collector of [[Madurai]], was instrumental in creating the lake in 1863, amidst the Kodaikanal town which was developed by the [[British people|British]] and early missionaries from USA.<ref name = "tam_tour">{{cite web|url=http://tamilnadutourism.org/HillStation/TNHillStations/HS_Kodaikkanal1.aspx |title=Hillstation ::: |publisher=Tamil Nadu Tourism |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Shiva |url=https://kodaihills.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html |title=Kodai hills |publisher=Kodaihills.blogspot.com |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref> The lake is said to be Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction.

[[File:Boating in Kodaikanal Lake.jpg|thumb|Boating in Kodaikanal Lake]]

Over the years a boat club, boathouse and boat service (with rowing boats and pedalling boats and a public ferry) for the public and tourists has become fully functional and is of aesthetic significance for tourism. Boat Pageant and Flower Shows are a regular feature in the summer season which attracts tourists.<ref name = "bit_steam">http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/bitstream/2259/599/1/543-554.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721150302/http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/bitstream/2259/599/1/543-554.pdf |date=21 July 2011 }} Managing Lake Tourism: Challenges Ahead</ref> Bryant Park is situated adjacent to the lake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/jul/07/kodaikanal-parks-closed-again-as-visitors-threw-caution-to-the-wind-2326720.html|title = Kodaikanal parks closed again as visitors threw caution to the wind}}</ref>

==Access==

[[File:Boating in Kodaikanal Lake with Mist.jpg|thumb|Boating in Kodaikanal Lake with Mist]]

A railway line extended from [[Chennai]] to [[Tirunelveli]] with an intermediate station at Ammaianayakkanur (later renamed Kodai Road) was built in 1875, to provide a gateway to Kodaikanal town and there on to the lake through a foot trek of 18 km from the railhead. The nearest railheads to the lake presently are the Kodai Road railway Station at 80 km and the [[Palani]] Railway station at 64 km distance, from the town. Madurai (at 121 km) and [[Coimbatore]] (at 135 km) airports are the closest to the Lake. Kodai Lake is well connected by road with regular bus services operating to [[Madurai]], [[Palani]], Kodaikanal Road, [[Theni]], [[Dindigul]], [[Thiruchirapalli]], [[Kumili]], [[Munnar]], [[Erode]], [[Bangalore]] and [[Coimbatore]].<ref name = "tam_tour"/>

==Topography==

[[File:Boating in Kodaikanal with Mist falling in lake.jpg|thumb|Boating in Kodaikanal with Mist falling in lake]]

The lake is star-shaped, centrally located in the town of Kodaikanal and is surrounded by lush green hills of the northwestern [[Palani Hills]] range, which is the main watershed for the lake.<ref name = "tam_tour"/>

==Hydrology==
[[File:SilverCascade.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Outflow from the lake goes over the Silver cascade fall.]]
An earthen dam was constructed to create the lake in a marshy where three streams flowed. The lake catchment experiences an average annual rainfall of 1650 mm. The climate is salubrious with summer temperatures of 19.8 °C (max) and 11.3 °C (min) and winter temperatures of 17.3 °C (max) and 8.3 °C (min).<ref name = "tam_tour"/> The out flow from the Lake forms the waterfall of 60 metres, called the Silver Cascade, 8 km downstream of the lake outlet.<ref name = "tam_tour"/>

== Flora ==
[[Kurinji]] ([[Strobilanthes kunthiana]]), a unique flowering plant is reported from the catchment area of the Lake. It is reported that this flower last bloomed in 2004 and that it blooms once in 12 years. Hill-plantain fruits and plums are popular in the area.<ref>{{cite web|author=Abdul Nazar |url=http://www.kodaikanal.com/ |title=Kodaikanal, Hotels in kodaikanal, Kodaikanal Resorts, Kodaikanal Hotels |publisher=Kodaikanal.com |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kurinji.in/ |title=Kurinji |publisher=Kurinji.in |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref>

== Aqua fauna ==

[[File:Mist covering the boating in Kodaikanal Lake.jpg|thumb|Mist covering the boating in Kodaikanal Lake]]

The Lake has moderate to dense growth of [[macrophyte]]s of all types. The [[littoral zone]] of the lake is reported to be rich in periphytic [[biota (ecology)|biota]] associated with macrophytes. [[Diatoms]], [[protozoans]] and [[rotifers]] which are also associated with macrophytes are found in the lake. Many aquatic insect [[larva]]e and adults, [[molluscs]], [[cladocerans]] and the fish [[Danio aequipinnatus]], [[Rasbora]], one spot barb, daniconius and [[Gambusia affinis]] are reported. Rainbow [[trout]] and [[common carp]] are the main fish found in the lake. The fish yield as per records was 5.3 kg/ha/year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/X2614E/x2614e06.htm |title=Coldwater Fish and Fisheries in the Western Ghats, India |publisher=Fao.org |date=1992-04-26 |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref> Recently two new species of diatom was found in this lake.<ref name="4 New species of Diatom from Western Ghats">{{cite journal|last=Karthick|first=B|author2=Kociolek J. P|title=Four new centric diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Western Ghats, South India|journal=Phytotaxa|date=11 April 2011|volume=22|pages=25–40|doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.22.1.2|url=http://karthickbala.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1_Karthick-Kociolek-2011-4-new-centric-diatoms-from-Western-Ghats.pdf|access-date=20 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021144546/http://karthickbala.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1_Karthick-Kociolek-2011-4-new-centric-diatoms-from-Western-Ghats.pdf|archive-date=21 October 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Condition of the lake ==
{{main|Kodaikanal#Mercury pollution}}
Human health risk assessment of the physico-chemical parameters of the lake water<ref>[http://www.taal2007.org/downloads/abstracts/Poster2.pdf P261 Ecological and of Kodai Lake, Palni Hills of South India]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> reveals that:

# A study conducted by the Department of Atomic Energy confirmed that Kodaikanal Lake has been contaminated by [[mercury (element)|mercury]] emissions by the thermometer factory of [[Hindustan Unilever|Hindustan Unilever Limited]].<ref>The Hindu,
# A study on water quality assessment on diatom indicators
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071104021328/http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/23/stories/2007082352980300.htm "Prevent mercury pollution"], (2007-8-23),</ref>
# As per [[microbial]] analysis, the water is not potable and needs to be processed prior to domestic use.
# Several ecological factors have influenced the [[plankton]] diversity and abundance.
# Eight aquatic [[macroinvertebrate]] taxa have been identified.
# [[Tourist#Negative impacts|Tourists]] and nearby residents are causative factors for lake contamination and [[water pollution]];
# Encroachment of the banks of the lake by buildings has violated the court order which prohibits constructions within 70 metres from the banks of the lake;
# The impact on the quality of water is transitory as compared to closed water body.
# High pollution loads of [[Wastewater#Wastewater constituents|organic matter]] from hotels and other commercial establishments around the lake are causing pollution.

== Lake conservation plan ==
[[File:Trees around Kodaikanal Lake, Tamil Nadu, India (2007).jpg|thumb|right|Panoramic view of Kodaikanal Lake and the surrounding [[Kodaikanal]] town]]
The Ministry of Environment & Forests, [[Government of India]] has initiated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP), since June, 2001, on 70:30 cost sharing basis between the Central Government and the respective State Government, with the objective of restoring and conserving the polluted and degraded lakes in urban and semi urban areas in the country. On the basis of studies carried out, 62 lakes including the Kodaikanal Lake in [[Tamil Nadu]] have been identified as polluted and degraded requiring conservation.<ref name = "bit_steam"/>

Treatment and eco-restoration works for the Kodaikanal Lake were undertaken by the Government of Tamil Nadu with funds provided by the Govt. of India, under the above stated cost sharing formula, by the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to abate pollution and, thereby benefit the local and floating population. The project envisaged Bio remediation, Sewage Treatment, Low cost sanitation Facilities, awareness, de- Weeding, Interception and Diversion Works, Fencing, Horse sheds, Data Collection and Dredging, at a total cost of about Rs 10.33 crores (US$2.6 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/gorders/eandf/envi-e-33.htm |title=Govt. of Tamilnadu |publisher=Tn.gov.in |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/PublicUtilities/graphics/PolicyNote0708-E.pdf |title=Environment & Forest Department, Policy Note 2007-08, page23 |access-date=2012-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409233824/http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/PublicUtilities/graphics/PolicyNote0708-E.pdf |archive-date=9 April 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Kodai Lake Sunset.JPG|Kodaikanal Lake at sunset
File:Kodai lake at night.jpg|View of Kodaikanal Lake at night
File:Lake Kodaikanal.jpg|View of the lake
File:Kodaikanal Lake.jpg|Boating in the Lalakeke
File:Two boats, Kodaikanal Lake, Tamil Nadu, India (2007).jpg|Boats moored in the lake
File:Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club.jpg|The Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club
File:Strobilanths kunthiana.jpg|[[Strobilanthes kunthiana]] or [[Kurinji]] flower which blooms once in 12 years in the lake's surrounding [[Palani Hills]] ranges
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Kodaikanal]]
* [[Dindigul district]]
* [[Palani Hills]]
* [[Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park]]
* [[Pannaikadu]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*[https://archive.today/20130116090719/http://aliandcedar.com/gallery/back-to-india/IMG_2751_001 A very non-typical morning view of Kodaikanal lake]

{{Hydrography of Tamil Nadu}}

[[Category:Reservoirs in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Kodaikanal]]

Kodaikanal Lake - Revision history

YaniraRolando4 at 09:40, 14 August 2025