Waterfalls and Lakes

Waterfalls

The sudden descending of water vertically due to step slope of river level is known as waterfall.

1. Kakolat Waterfall: The Kakolat fall is located about 33 km away from Nawada. The water tumbles down a long series of rapid from a height of 160 m. It forms a natural reservoir at the base of the waterfall.
2. Karkat Waterfall: It is situated near ‘Kaimur hills in the Kaimur district of Bihar. Kaimur Widlife Sanctuary is located near to it.
3. Telhar Waterfall: It is also located in the Kaimur district.
4. Dhua Kund: The Dhua Kund is a pair of waterfalls situated in the city of Sasaram, Rohtas district.
5. Manjhar Kund: It is also called Manjhar waterfall and is situated near Sasaram, Rohtas district. It is one of the best waterfalls in India. It is located on Karmanasha river. It is famous for Raksha Bandhan fair.
6. Skhaldari Waterfall: This waterfall is situated at the border of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Here the river Kanhar descends approximately from the height of 100 feet.
7. Parasdeeh Waterfall: Near the Parasdeeh village river Paras meets with river Panda. Here the water descends from the height of 370 feet.
8. Tamaseen Watefall: This is an attractive waterfall situated at peculiar, beautiful and elegant natural valley. Here Mahane stream falls down at the height of 50 feet. Besides above, Gur-Sindhu waterfall, Maloodeh waterfall, Kehrideh waterfall, Goa-waterfall are the other waterfalls.

Lakes
Most of the lakes formed in Bihar are due to the change of course of major rivers of north Bihar such as Kosi, Burhi Gandak, and Mahananda. Some important lakes in the state are discussed below:

• Kanwar Lake: It is situated in Manjhaul village of Begusarai It is Asia’s largest oxbow lake. It attracts a variety of migratory birds which come from all parts of Central Asia during winter months. Kanwar lake is first Ramsar site of Bihar. It is 37th Ramsar site of India.
• Muchilinda Lake: Muchalinda lake is located 3 km south of Mahabodhi Temple and lies close to the Mucharim village in Gaya district of Bihar. This is a holy tank where snake king gave protection to Lord Buddha during a terrible storm.
• Sagar Pokhar: Sagar Pokhar is a pond located at Bettiah, West Champarn During the Chhath, an important festival of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, this pond becomes the center of attraction.
• Harahi Pond: This is one of the popular lake among 3 lakes in Darbhanga city nearby Railway Station.
• Simri Lake: It is situated at a distance of 25 km from Saharsa in Simri- Bakhtiyarpur block. It has been formed by the meeting of many lakes. Jamunia, Sardia, Kumini and Gobra lakes are prominent in this chain. Their shape is like a horseshoe.
• Ghogha Lake: It is located in Manihari block of The water supply in this lake comes from Mahananda river and rain water. Its area is 5 square km. This lake is also a rest center for many rare and migratory birds in autumn. This lake is a big center of fisheries and trade.
• Kusheshwarsthan Lake: It is located in Kusheshwarsthan block of Darbhanga. The area of this lake remains 20 sq km in autumn while it becomes 100 sq km in rainy season. It is also a place of migration of rare migratory birds. This lake is also a big center of fisheries and trade.
• Jagatpur Lake: It is situated in Bhagalpur.
• Matsyagandha Lake: It is situated in Saharsa.
• Ajay Lake: It is situated in Kaimur.
• Kharagpur Lake: It is situated in Munger.

Major wetlands in Bihar

• Most of the water-submerged land in Bihar is located north of river Ganga, west of river Gandak and east of river Mahananda, Here Taal, Chaur, Man and lakes have been formed which helps in flood control. At the time of flood, the excess water of the river gets accumulated in these.
• In Bihar, 21% of the total water submerged land area is under private ownership, while 79% is government property. Every year revenue is received from the ponds.
• A large number of employment is available from fisheries and related activities in ponds, pool, man and lakes.