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
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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
Crater Lake, Mt. Mazama,
Oregon - Volcanic
Manicouagan Lake,
Quebec. Formed 200
million years ago - Impact
7. Karst Lake
• Water fills a sinkhole after the roof of a
limestone cave collapses