Stunning lakes you won't believe are man-made
Anna Bailey
17 November 2017
Artficial lakes that look like natural wonders
The construction of reservoirs, dams and mines has created some incredible artificial lakes. Here’s a few of the most beautiful man-made lagoons around the world.
Abraham Lake, Canada
The mighty Abraham Lake, located in the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, was formed in 1972 following the construction of the Bighorn Dam. Although man-made, the water appears the same color as other glacial lakes in the region because of the flow of rock flour – a silt which gives the waters a deep blue shade.
Abraham Lake, Canada
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The lake is popular with hikers and photographers keen to capture the frozen patterns that form under the surface. These jewel-like bubbles are actually pockets of methane. They form when dead leaves and animals sink to the bottom and are consumed by bacteria which then excrete the gas.
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Blue Lagoon, Iceland
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One of the most visited attractions in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa rich in minerals thought to soothe the skin and heal irritations. The pool was formed in 1976 by accident – it’s actually waste water produced by a nearby power plant. People began bathing in the warm waters in the early 80s and it was officially opened to the public in 1992.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
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The Blue Lagoon is a short journey from Keflavík International Airport and many people visit the site on their way home as shuttles go directly to the terminals. The main lagoon is surrounded by rapids, a waterfall, a cave and a floating bar. Visitors can also stay at the nearby Silica Hotel, where bedrooms come with their own private bathing lagoons.
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
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Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made reservoir created by the completion of the Kariba Dam in 1958. Covering an incredible 2,085 square miles, the waters stretch along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. During construction, floodwaters covered miles of wildlife habitats and a dramatic rescue operation was launched to save more than 5,000 animals from drowning. Hundreds of dead trees can now be spotted protruding out of the waters.
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Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
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The lake is a now a popular birdwatching and safari location. The Matusadona National Park (where many of the threatened animals were re-homed) lies on the southern shores where you’ll find herds of elephants, buffalo, hippos and lions. The waters are also teeming with so many crocodiles, the National Parks Board allow their eggs to be farmed. Swimming is not advised.
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
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Staying in a lakeside lodge, houseboat or floating chalet is a great way to experience this magnificent lake and many have their own swimming cages to keep guests safe from the crocodiles lurking in the waters. Boat excursions and sunset cruises are also very popular.
Central Park Lake, New York City, USA
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Up until the 1850s, Central Park in New York was a mass of untamed swamplands. It was transformed by designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who famously redesigned the area to include woodlands, wildlife habitats, lawns, promenades and statues and, at the heart of it all, the stunning main lake.
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Central Park Lake, New York City, USA
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The perfect escape from the surrounding urban landscape, the park is the one of the most-visited sites in the city and the lake is hugely popular with locals and tourists. You can rent a rowing boat from the Loeb Boathouse or take a ride in a Venetian-style gondola. Or take a stroll around the pretty woodland paths.
Kenyir Lake, Malaysia
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The largest artificial lake in south-east Asia, Lake Kenyir in Malaysia covers an area roughly one-third of the size of Singapore. It was formed in 1985 when the Sultan Mahmud Power Station dammed the Kenyir River. As well as providing electricity to the region, the expansive waters have dramatically boosted tourism in the area.
Kenyir Lake, Malaysia
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Surrounded by lush tropical rainforests, the lake is a perfect retreat for nature lovers. Taking a boat ride is a must as it's the only way to access many of the caves and waterfalls dotted around the shores. Fishing, birdwatching, kayaking and canoeing are also popular.
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Lake Campotosto, Italy
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Lake Campotosto in Gran Sasso National Park, Italy was formed in the 1930s to establish a water reservoir that could be used to generate hydroelectric power for the nearby Vomano valley. Surrounded by 31 miles of trails, the lake is a popular spot for jogging, hiking, bike rides and sunset walks.
Walthamstow Wetlands, London, England
Europe’s largest urban wetlands opened to the public in Walthamstow, east London in October 2017. The $10.6 million (£8m) project, which was part-funded by the National Lottery and took a decade to complete, transformed a series of man-made reservoirs into a stunning nature reserve with wildlife habitats and nature trails.
Walthamstow Wetlands, London, England
Visitors to the site, just 15 minutes from King's Cross railway station, can enjoy 13 miles of walking tracks, with cycling allowed on selected routes. There’s also a visitor center and viewing platform offering spectacular views of London’s skyline as well as a café and play area.
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Norfolk Broads, England
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You may be surprised to learn that England's Norfolk Broads are completely man-made. The discovery was made in the 1950s when research revealed the sides of the deep lakes were vertical and did not slope gently as you would expect from naturally-formed rivers. It's believed the lakes were created by accident in the 9th and 10th centuries when settlers began digging for peat, a natural fuel, and the excavations were flooded. It eventually created more than 125 miles of riverways.
Norfolk Broads, England
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The network of rivers is now one of the UK’s most popular destinations for boating holidays, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, walking, fishing and cycling.
Lake Dunstan, New Zealand
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Lake Dunstan on New Zealand's South Island passes through the small town of Cromwell. Covering 10 square miles, the lake was formed on the Clutha River following the construction of the Clyde Dam, which was completed in 1993. It’s now a major tourist attraction offering a range of activities from yachting to rowing, fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping.
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Lake Pichola, India
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The beautiful Lake Pichola sits alongside the city of Udaipur, northern India. It was created in 1362 so merchants could transport grain and was later enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh, who built his royal palaces (pictured) on the water’s edge.
Lake Pichola, India
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Cruises are offered throughout the day and are especially popular at sunset when the lakes and the City Palace look the most beautiful. The most popular boat rides head out to the Taj Lake Palace (pictured) in the heart of the lake which is one of the locations featured in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
Bukit Katak, Malaysia
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Bukit Katak (or Frog Hill as it's also known) in Penang, Malaysia was once a quarry used to produce raw materials for bricks. It was abandoned around 12 years ago and, soon afterwards, rainwater collected to form the colorful lakes.
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Bukit Katak, Malaysia
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The area remained undiscovered for almost a decade but become a tourism hotspot when pictures of the site began appearing on social media. It's now popular with hikers, mountain bikers, cliff-divers and photographers.
Lake Nasser, Egypt
Located in southern Egypt, Lake Nasser is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, stretching across 2,030 square miles. It was formed when the Aswan High Dam was built across the Nile between 1958 and 1970.
Lake Nasser, Egypt
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The creation of the lake threatened to submerge several historical tombs and temples so the Egyptian government and UNESCO worked together to dismantle them and reconstruct them on safer grounds. This included The Great Temple at Abu Simbel (pictured) which was relocated in 1968 to the western banks of the lakes. Thousands of tourists now flock to the lake each year and hop aboard traditional felucca sailboats, which pass by the ancient ruins.
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Lake Guerlédan, France
Lake Guerlédan is a stunning artificial lake situated in the heart of Brittany, France. It was created to power the Guerlédan dam, built between 1923 and 1930. With panoramic views, the beauty spot offers extensive walking and cycling trails and plenty of watersports such as windsurfing, canoeing and kayacking.
Qiandao Lake, China
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Qiandao Lake in China, also known as Thousand Island Lake, was created in 1959 following the construction of the Xin'an River hydroelectric station and dam. It flooded the area, forcing 290,000 people to relocate their homes, and submerged two ancient cities. Island hopping boat tours are popular and it’s also possible to scuba dive among the ruins between April and November.
Lake Kaolin, Indonesia
Indonesia's artificial Lake Kaolin is an abandoned quarry which was built to collect industrial minerals needed for cosmetics, toothpaste and paper production. Located on the island of Sumatra, the turquoise waters are surrounded by mountains of excavated white rocks.
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Lake Kaolin, Indonesia
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The lake is now a popular tourist destination attracting thousands of hikers, bike riders and even some bathers who like to cover themselves in the mineral-rich clay.
Lake Burley Griffin, Australia
At the heart of Australia’s capital, Canberra, you’ll find Lake Burley Griffin – 6.8 miles of meandering waters winding through the city. It was formed in 1963 when the Molonglo River was dammed and takes its name from Walter Burley Griffin, who designed the city.
Lake Burley Griffin, Australia
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There are plenty of things to do around Lake Burley Griffin, from stand-up paddleboarding to canoeing, windsurfing, dragon boating, and strolling along the promenades and across the city’s bridges. It’s also a prime spot to enjoy the annual Canberra Balloon Spectacular held in March. If you liked this, follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for more travel inspiration.
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