LAKES

FEWA LAKE

Pokhara valley has been known for its number of lakes . It has eight lakes having an area of 9.057 square kilometers. The important lakes are Phewa (4.43 sq.km), Begnas (2.5 sq.km), Rupa (1.4 sq. km), Maidi (0.415 sq.km), Kaste (21 sq),Gunde (0.05 sq.km), and Kamal Pokhari (0.026.sq.km).The three lakes fewa, Begnas and Rupa are fairly larger; the other five lakes are undergoing rapid sedimentation and remained just as swampy ponds.The maximum depth of Phewa Lake has 110 square kilometers watershed area, whereas Begnas and Rupa have 19 and 30 square kilometers watershed area respectively.

BEGNAS  LAKE

Regarding the formation of the Pokhara lakes,two opinions are postulated by the scholars. Hagen (1969) assumed that the information of Pokhara valley was due to the rise of Mahabharat range and subsidence of the basin itself caused huge lakes,which are filled up by moraine and debris deposition from the Mt. Annapurna ranges by rivers. The present present lakes are the remnants and pushed aside lakes of the bigger Pokhara Lake. But, Gurung (1965) stated that lakes of Pokhara were formed when the pre-glacial drainage system was filled up by the out wash drift of of the valley train. The glaciofuvial deposits along the main Seti valley acted as barriers to the tributary streams.Lakes must have been more numerous immediately after the deluge by the valley train. Larger streams were capable of incising more vigorously and maintaining their course while smaller streams were impounded behind the barrier. The larger three lakes are suffering from massive sedimentation and in the verge of swampy fate in near future.

RUPA LAKE

Now-a-days, the three areas have been emerging as a famous destination for tourists.Many functions are developing over there.Relatively,Phewa Lakeside has the significant role in tourism promotion and publicizing the repute of Pokhara city.