What is a reservoir?

A reservoir is fundamentally defined as a place where water is stored for various purposes, including human consumption, irrigation, and recreation. The definition aligns most closely with the understanding of a reservoir as a lake or a large water body specifically designed to collect and hold water, often created by damming rivers. Such structures facilitate the storage and regulation of water to meet the needs of communities, agricultural operations, and ecosystems.

While a small pond or a natural well can store water, they do not fit the extensive capacity and functionality associated with reservoirs designed for human use. Rivers, on the other hand, transport water but do not store it in the same manner as a reservoir. Understanding this distinction is crucial in recognizing the role that reservoirs play in water management and conservation.