ABSTRACT
Reservoirs, or artificial lakes, are a group of waterbodies that share many of the same characteristics as natural lakes yet differ from them in several important ways, not the least of which include aspects of their environmental processes and their potential to be managed. Reservoirs are located in both water-poor and water-rich regions. In the former, reservoirs are a practical way of storing surface water during times of plenty for later use during times of scarcity. In the latter, reservoirs act as storage areas to slow the passage of water downstream, reduce flood heights, and protect people and property. Many reservoirs fulfil multiple roles, such as hydropower generation, water supply for industrial, agricultural and domestic consumption, and fisheries production, and many are located in relatively close proximity to human settlements. In every case, reservoirs fulfil a critical human need for fresh water, and, in so doing, ensure their continued place in the spectrum of water resources.
