A comprehensive study on water balance, sedimentation and physico-chemical characteristics of Sagar Lake in India

In this study, an attempt has been made to work out water balance, determine rate of sedimentation and physico-chemical analysis of the lake water. The water balance is carried out using the mass balance equation to account for various input and output components. Sedimentation rates and pattern are estimated using (137)Cs and (210)Pb radiometric dating techniques. The physico-chemical analysis of the lake water is done by collecting samples from twelve locations of the lake at three different depths. The major inflow to the lake is catchment runoff, which accounts for nearly 56% of the total annual inflow and about 98% inflow takes place during monsoon period. The major outflow from the lake is weir overflow, which occurs in monsoon season only and accounts for about 85% of the total annual outflow. The estimated mean sedimentation rate in the lake is 0.58 +/- 0.028 cm/year. The estimated useful life of the lake based on post-1964 (appearance of the major peak of (137)Cs due to weapon fallout record pattern) average sedimentation rate is around 467 +/- 23 years. The lake has attained the hyper-eutrophic state due to high nitrogen and phosphorous contents in the lake water. Based on the trophic state index (TSI), the lake has become unsuitable for drinking, bathing and even for fish culture.