20 Lake/ River/ Ponds to Explore in Uttarakhand

The Bhimgoda Barrage also referred to as the Bhimgoda Weir or Bhimgoda Head Works, is a barrage on the Ganges River at Har ki Pauri near Haridwar in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, India. Built as the headworks of the Upper Ganges Canal, an initial barrage was completed by 1854 and replaced twice; the final one completed in 1983. The primary purpose of barrage is irrigation but it also serves to provide water for hydroelectric power production and control floods.

Bhimtal Lake is a lake in the town of Bhimtal, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, with a masonry dam built in 1883 creating the storage facility. It is the largest lake in Kumaon region, known as the "lake district of India". The lake provides drinking water supply and supports aquaculture with variety of fish species. There is an island at the centre of the lake which has been developed as a tourist attraction and has an aquarium.

Deoria Tal (also Devaria' or 'Deoriya) is a lake about 3 km from the villages of Mastura and Sari on the Ukhimath-Chopta road in Uttarakhand. At an altitude of 2,438 meters. it has heavily wooded, lush green surroundings with snow-covered mountains (Chaukhamba is one of them) in the backdrop.

Devprayag which is situated at an altitude of 472 meters above the sea level is famous for many reasons. Devprayag lies at the confluence of rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda and thus is the starting point of the holy river Ganga. Devprayag is also home to much revered Rughunathji Temple which is claimed to be constructed about 10, 000 years ago using massive uncemented stones.

Dodital is a freshwater lake in uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India, situated at a height of 3,024 metres (9,921 ft). Assi ganga rises from dodital and joins bhagirathi. The confluence is at Gangori. To reach Dodital, From Uttarkashi, a short jeep ride of q19 kilometers will take you to Sangamchatti from where the 24 km trek to Dodital begins. This is a mostly gentle trek, with overnight halt options at the village of Agora or Bebra.

Gangotri, the origin of the River Ganges and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage of Uttarakhand. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga (the Ganges) from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gomukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier, and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri.

Gomukh, also known as "Gaumukh is the terminus or pout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi River, one of the primary headstreams of the Ganges River. The place is situated at a height of 13,200 ft . It is one of the largest in the Himalayas with an estimated volume of over 27 cubic kilometers. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site, along with Gangotri, as well as trekking destination.

This is a beautiful lake located in the Udham Singh nagar district. One of the favourite picnic spot of Uttarakhand.

Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This revered place is the major landmark of the holy city of Haridwar. Literally, "Har" means "Lord Shiva" who is the god according to shaivite Rishav Bhagwan school of Hindu theology, "Ki" means "of" and "Pauri" means "steps". Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have visited the Brahmakund in Har Ki Pauri in the Vedic times.

The awe-inspiring Hemkund Lake is one of the most sacred lakes of India. It is situated near ‘Hemkund Sahib’ the famous shrine of Sikhs. It is also known as the “Lake of Snow” which is adorned with seven glorious peaks ranging about 15,200 feet in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

It is a man-made lake which was developed by City Board and the Mussoorie-Dehradun Developmental Authority. The lake is placed at a scenic location about 6 km before Mussoorie on the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road. One can get down at Dhobi Ghat from where the lake is just at a walking distance. Surroundings of the lake include the mesmerizing views of Doon Valley and the verdant hills of Mussoorie. There are pedalled boats to enjoy the calmness of the lovely lake.

The lake is bounded by the high and steep Naina peak on the North West side, by the Tiffin Top to the southwest side and snow view peaks on the north. Coniferous forest trees cover these hill ranges. The lake receives flows from the surrounding catchment basin which comprises the hill slopes and springs.

Naukuchiatal, a small picturesque lake village is a destination for those who seek quietude and tranquility beneath the shade of pure nature. As the name of the place suggests, this place is mainly known for its nine cornered lake which measures up to 1 km in length and 40 m deep.

The Pindari Glacier is a glacier found in the upper reaches of the kumaon himalayas, to the southeast of Nanda Devi, Nanda kot. The glacier flows to the south for a short distance of about 3 km (1.9 mi) and gives rise to the pindari river which meets the alaknanda at karnaprayag in the Garhwal district. trekkers paradise, adventure lovers can explore this place.

Roopkund lake is a high altitude glacial lake in the Uttarakhand state of India. It lies in the lap of Trishul massif. Located in the Himalayas, the area around the lake is uninhabited surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow-clad mountains. Roopkund is a popular trekking destination.

A suspension bridge across the river Ganges located 5 kilometers (3 mi) north-east of the city of Rishikesh. Lakshman Jhula is a pedestrian bridge that is also used by motorbikes. It is said that the Hindu deity Lakshmana crossed the Ganges on jute ropes where the bridge is built.

Perched at an elevation of 1,700 meters, Tehri Lake is an artificial dam reservoir that came into existence during the construction of Tehri Dam when the water from the Bhagirathi River was diverted to fill the dam reservoir. Since its creation, Tehri Lake has become a popular boating destination among tourists and travelers who are looking for peace and quite amidst the nature. Being at a close proximity to Delhi and NCR regions, it has also become an ideal weekend getaway destination.

Triveni Ghat is a ghat situated in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. It is the biggest and most famous ghat in Rishikesh at the banks of Ganges. Triveni Ghat remains overcrowded with devotees to take ritual baths to get cleansed from their sins. It is believed that the ghat was visited by Lord Krishna when he got hurt by the arrow of Jara – a hunter. Being the most venerated ghat in Rishikesh,

Vasuki Tal or Vasuki Taal is a high glacial lake situated at an impressive altitude of 14,200 feet above sea level in Kedarnath Dham of Uttarakhand. One can spot Brahma Kamal and other Himalayan flowers blooming around the placid lake, making the aura divine.

Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna in Hinduism. It is situated at an altitude of 3,293 metres (10,804 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas in District Uttarkashi. It is one of the four sites in Char Dham pilgrimage of Uttarakhand. The sacred shrine of Yamunotri, source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a flank of Bandar Poonch Parvat.