Rawal lake

Rawal lake
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Location	Margalla Hills National Park
Coordinates	33°42′N 73°07′E
Type	reservoir
Catchment area	106.25 sq mi (275.2 km^2)
Basin countries	Pakistan
Surface area	8.8 km^2 (3.4 sq mi)
Max. depth	102 ft (31 m)

Rawal Lake (Urdu: جھیل راول) in Pakistan is an artificial reservoir that provides the water needs for the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Korang River along with some other small streams coming from Margalla Hills have been set to form this artificial lake which covers an area of 8.8 km². Korang River is the outlet stream of Rawal Dam. Rawal Lake is located within an isolated section of the Village Malpur, Bani Gala and Margalla Hills National Park. Rawal lake is contaminated with sewage nowadays from 2024.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Recreation

The area around the lake has been planted with flowering trees and laid out with gardens, picnic spots, and secluded paths. The terraced garden and the lake are used for picnics, fishing, and boating. The highest point in the garden offers a panoramic view of the lake, Margalla and Murree hills, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.

Boating, sailing, water skating, and diving facilities are organized by private clubs.

To the west of the lake is the Islamabad Club. The Islamabad Club is a government-organized institution that provides various sporting facilities.

Fauna

Further information: Fauna of Pakistan

Wildlife

The reservoir is of considerable importance for wintering waterfowl, especially Anas platyrhynchos.

Here the resident mammals include the Red fox, Indian pangolin, Indian crested porcupine, jungle cat, Persian jackal, Central Asian boar and yellow-throated marten, reptiles include Indian Cobra and Russell's Viper. The majority of Birds of Islamabad are found here.

Fishery

There are 15 fish species belonging to 11 genera that are present in Rawal Lake. The fish species in Rawal lake and its tributaries include: Doula (Channa channa), Rahu (Labeorohita), Thaila (Catla catla), Mori (Cirrhinus mrigala), Carp fish (Cyprinus carpio) and Talapia (Tilapia mossambica).^[7]

Features of Rawal Lake

• Location: Islamabad Park Area
• Longitude: 73° 7' E
• Latitude: 33° 41' N
• Catchments Area: 106.25 square miles (275 km²)

Features of Rawal Lake dam

• Type of dam: partly arched gravity dam (stone masonry)
• Crest level: 1,752 ft (534 m)
• Crest length: 700 ft (210 m)
• Maximum height: 133.5 ft (40.7 m)

View of Rawal Dam from Old picnic point.

The Rawal Dam: lake view

Sun rises at Rawal Dam lake view park

Saddle

• Length 6,991 ft (2,131 m)
• Height 24 ft (7.3 m)

Spillway

• Type: Ogee gated structure
• Discharge Capacity: 82000 ft³/s (2,300 m³/s)

Reservoir

• Area: 3 square miles (7.8 km²)
• Maximum depth: 102 feet (31 m)
• Live storage: 37,500 acre-feet (46,300,000 m³)
• Dead storage: 4,500 acre-feet (5,600,000 m³)
• Gross capacity: 42,000 acre-feet (52,000,000 m³)

Canals

• Left bank canal(Shahana Disty): length 5 miles (8.0 km)
  • Capacity: 40 ft³/s (1.1 m³/s)
    • Purpose: Irrigation
• Right bank canal (Ojri Disty) : length 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
  • Capacity: 70 ft³/s (2.0 m³/s)
    • Purpose: Drinking water supply to Rawalpindi

Drinking water supply

• Rawalpindi: 25.00 million US gallons per day (94,600 m³/d)

Command area

• Agriculture: 500 acres (2.0 km²)

See also

• Birds of Islamabad
• Rawal Lake View Park
• Simly Dam

Notes

1. "Microsoft Word - Report on Rawal Lake Catchment Management.doc" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-01-26.
2. "Rawal Dam Park, Islamabad". Paktive.com. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
3. "Water level increases in Rawal Dam". Thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
4. "Kidnapped boy's body recovered from Rawal Dam". Pakistan Criminal Records. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
5. "Claims over Rawal Dam land: Twin cities ready to reconcile | Provinces". Dawn.Com. 2011-09-21. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
6. "Rawal Dam – more polluted than ever | Provinces". Dawn.Com. 2011-12-01. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
7. M.phil Thesis- Saadullah Ayaz- Ecological Zonation Margallah

References

• Small Dams Organization(Govt. Of The Punjab, Irrigation Department, Development Zone, Lahore, Small Dams Organization, Islamabad)