Page 145 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Lakes SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Climate change
p.60

A lake is a large body of water surrounded by land. ▸ ▸ Factories p.97
Most lakes contain fresh water, but some are salty. ▸ ▸ Farming p.98
Lakes are usually found in high areas or near large ▸ ▸ Water pp.120–121

rivers. The water in lakes comes from streams or ▸ ▸ Rivers p.211
rivers around them. ▸ ▸ Water cycle
p.270

How we use lakes Oxbow lakes
Lakes provide water for factories, farming, Rivers sometimes change their
energy, sports, and homes. Nearly all lakes course. When they do, bends in them
are natural but some, known as may become cut off to form U-shaped
reservoirs, are made by people. bodies of water called oxbow lakes.

Lakes form when
water fills hollows A deep bend,
in the landscape. or meander,
forms in the
course of
the river.

The river
makes a
Lakes provide water for us shortcut
to drink, wash up, and bathe and changes
and shower.
its course.

An oxbow
lake forms
as the river’s
Many lakes have an outlet, new course
such as a river, from which separates
water leaves. from it.

Wet or dry?
Lakes can dry out if there is a long
period without rain, called a
drought, or if the climate changes.
They may reappear when the rain
returns or stay dry forever.

Lake water is used
for farming, making
goods, and producing
electricity.

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