E
cosystem
servicesdelivered
Provisioning
Regulation & maintenance
Cultural
Abiotic
C
ontribution
topolicyobjectives
Water Framework Directive
Floods Directive
Birds & Habitats Directive
2020 Biodiversity Strategy
P
otential
biophysicaleffects
Runoff
Reducing pollution
Soil conservation
Habitat
Climate Change
High
Low
Medium
None
Lakes constitute natural reservoirs, which make water available for a variety of uses (for example recreational, ecosystems, irrigation). The runoff storage capacity of a lake corres-
ponds to the total volume of the lake minus the volume already occupied by water. Hydraulic infrastructure can be built or modified to increase the total capacity of the lake.
In passing through the lake, river water is not only slowed down but also has its physico-chemical characteristics altered/ regulated. These mechanisms contribute to
reducing
peak flows
in receiving watercourses, effectively maintaining the natural
flood risk
management capacity of a catchment. Protection against floods can be improved through
an integrated strategy taking into account all water uses.
Lake restoration has the potential to
improve water quality
in receiving water bodies. It can improve sediment circulation through appropriate management and/or reduce
sediment delivery downstream and diversity of ecosystems in the lake will increase resilience to - and capacity to treat - pollutants.
Lake restoration preserves aquatic habitats and can increase species diversity. Along with the benefits to temperature and water quality, this can contribute to increasing fish stocks.
Restoration of lake and their surroundings can also benefit riparian vegetation and species, and provide an overall increase in biomass production. Restoration of the food chain, as
a result of improving production of phytoplankton and zooplankton, creates optimum conditions for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Lake restoration is thus a key measure for
reaching
good water ecological status
. Lake can have recreational and cultural benefits, becoming popular areas to visit for example for sailing, fishing and bird watching.
