A lake is a large, stationary body of water, usually natural, located in a basin surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not directly connected to the ocean, though they may link to it through rivers. Most lakes contain fresh water and hold a significant portion of the world’s surface freshwater, while some are saline. Generally, lakes are larger and deeper than ponds and vary widely in size and water volume. Artificial lakes, known as reservoirs, are created for industrial, agricultural, energy production, or recreational purposes
