Which Is the 3rd Largest Lake in India?

Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh is generally considered the third-largest freshwater lake in India, after Wular Lake and Vembanad Lake.

India's Largest Freshwater Lakes:

1. Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir):

• Area: ~189 sq km (varies seasonally)
• Largest freshwater lake

2. Vembanad Lake (Kerala):

• Area: ~2,033 sq km
• India's longest lake
• Note: Brackish water (mix of fresh and saltwater)

3. Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh):

• Area: ~245 sq km (can expand to 900+ sq km in monsoon)
• Freshwater lake
• Important bird sanctuary

Classification Note: Rankings vary based on criteria:

• Freshwater only vs. all lakes
• Surface area measurement method
• Seasonal variations
• Whether counting brackish water bodies

Alternative Rankings: Some sources list Chilika Lake (Odisha) or Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) based on different classification criteria.

Key Takeaways:

• Third-largest varies by classification
• Kolleru Lake: common answer for freshwater
• Rankings change with seasonal water levels
• Vembanad is longest, but brackish water