Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake (फेवा ताल)

Reflection of the Annapurna Range on Phewa Lake
Phewa Lake (फेवा ताल)
Location in Nepal
Location Kaski
Coordinates 28°12′51″N 83°56′50″E / 28.21417°N 83.94722°E / 28.21417; 83.94722Coordinates: 28°12′51″N 83°56′50″E / 28.21417°N 83.94722°E / 28.21417; 83.94722
Lake type Freshwater
Primary inflows Harpan & Phirke Khola
Catchment area 122.53 km2 (47.31 sq mi)
Basin countries Nepal
Max. length 4 km (2.5 mi)
Max. width 2 km (1.2 mi)
Surface area 5.23 km2 (2.0 sq mi)
Average depth 8.6 m (28 ft)
Max. depth 24 m (79 ft)
Water volume 0.046 km3 (0.011 cu mi)
Surface elevation 742 m (2,434 ft)
Frozen Does not freeze
Islands Tal Barahi (तालबाराही)
Settlements Pokhara, Sarangkot, Kaskikot, Dhikurpokhari
View of Phewa lake from Peace Pagoda

Phewa Lake, Phewa Tal or Fewa Lake is a freshwater lake in Nepal located in the south of the Pokhara Valley that includes Pokhara city; parts of Sarangkot and Kaskikot. The lake is stream-fed but a dam regulates the water reserve, therefore, the lake is classified as semi-natural freshwater lake.[1] It is the second largest lake in Nepal, the largest in Gandaki Zone followed by Begnas Lake.[2] Phewa lake is located at an altitude of 742 m (2,434 ft) and covers an area of about 5.23 km2 (2.0 sq mi).[3] It has an average depth of about 8.6 m (28 ft) and a maximum depth of 24 m (79 ft).[4] Maximum water capacity of the lake is approximately 43,000,000 cubic metres (35,000 acre·ft).[5] The Annapurna range on the north is only about 28 km (linear distance) away[6] from the lake. The lake is also famous for the reflection of mount Machhapuchhre and other mountain peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on its surface.[7] The Taal Barahi Temple is situated on an island in the lake.[8]

Lake economy

Phewa lake and water sports is the main tourist attraction of Pokhara city and the north shore of the lake has developed into a tourist district, commonly called Lake-Side, with hotels, restaurants and bars catering to the tourists.[9] The water from Phewa lake's outlet is used to generate electricity. The Phewa Power House is located about 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from the southern part of the Phewa lake.[10] A part of the lake is also used as commercial caged fisheries.[11]

Tal Barahi Temple lying in the center of Phewa lake, Pokhara
Boating in Phewa Lake, Scenario

Major Attraction

See also

References

  1. ↑ Shrestha, P; Janauer, G. A. (2001). "Management of Aquatic Macrophyte Resource: A Case of Phewa Lake, Nepal" (PDF). Environment and Agriculture: Biodiversity, Agriculture and Pollution in South Asia. Ecological Society (ECOS): 99–107.
  2. ↑ Aryal, Vijay (28 October – 2 November 2007). "Phewa Lake Watershed Area: A Study on the Challenges to Human Encroachment" (PDF). Proceedings of Taal 2007: The 12th World Lake Conference, Jaipur, India. International Lake Environment Committee: 2292–2299.
  3. ↑ Rai, Ash Kumar (2000). "Evaluation of natural food for planktivorous fish in Lakes Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa in Pokhara Valley, Nepal" (PDF). Limnology. 1: 81–89. doi:10.1007/s102010070014.
  4. ↑ Shrestha, Purushottam (2003). "Conservation and management of Phewa Lake ecosystem, Nepal" (PDF). Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society. pp. 1–4.
  5. ↑ Pokharel, Shailendra (2003). "Lessons from Nepal on Developing a Strategic Plan for the Integrated Lake Basin Management: Conservation of Phewa Lake of Pokhara, Nepal" (PDF). International Lake Environment Committee: World Lake Database.
  6. ↑ Gulia, K. S. "Himalayan Treks in Nepal". Discovering Himalaya: Tourism of Himalayan Region. Delhi, India: Isha Books. p. 63. ISBN 81-8205-410-9.
  7. ↑ Giri, Bikash; Chalise, Mukesh Kumar (2008). "Seasonal Diversity and Population Status of Waterbirds in Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal". Journal of Wetlands Ecology. 1 (1/2): 3–7. doi:10.3126/jowe.v1i1.1568.
  8. ↑ Shrestha, Nanda R. (1997). "Pot Goes Pop on Kathmandu's Freak Street". In the Name of Development: A Reflection on Nepal. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America. p. 163. ISBN 0-7618-0758-6.
  9. ↑ Gurung, Tek B.; Wagle, Suresh K.; Bista, Jay D.; Dhakal, Ram P.; Joshi, Purushottam L.; Batajoo, Rabindra; Adhikari, Pushpa; Rai, Ash K. (2005). "Participatory fisheries management for livelihood improvement of fishers in Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal". Himalayan Journal of Sciences. 3 (5). ISSN 1727-5210.
  10. ↑ Rai, Ash Kumar (2008). "Environmental Impact from River Damming for Hydroelectric Power Generation and Means of Mitigation" (PDF). Hydro Nepal. Journal of Water, Energy and Environment. 1 (2): 22–25. ISSN 1998-5452.
  11. ↑ Pantha, M. B. (19–21 October 1994). "Sustainable Development of Inland Fisheries Under Environmental Constraints in Nepal". Regional Symposium on Sustainable Development of Inland Fisheries Under Environmental Constraints. Bangkok, Thailand: Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission, IPFC Working Party on Inland Fisheries. FAO Fisheries Report (FIRI/R512 Suppl.): 129–140. ISSN 0429-9337.
  12. ↑ SAARC TOURISM Nepal
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