What is the Difference Between a Pond and a Lake?
There is no universally accepted definition for ponds and lakes, which is why many people find it confusing to differentiate between the two concepts.
If you ask someone about the difference between a pond and a lake, they might say that a pond is just a large muddy hole filled with water, while a lake is much larger and has moving water.
This is true at the most basic level, but the real differences (and similarities) are much deeper.
What is a Pond?
Lotus flowers growing in a pond.
While both ponds and lakes are freshwater bodies on land that serve as habitats for many living organisms, the website Lakes & Streams states that the fundamental difference lies in the depth and surface area of both.
In general, ponds are smaller and shallower, leading to a lower surface area. They are considered “lentic” systems, meaning there is quite a bit of standing water.
The water in a pond is also in the photic zone, which means it is shallow enough for sunlight to reach the bottom. Thanks to the influence of sunlight, abundant plant life grows both at the bottom and on the surface of the pond.
Additionally, pond water tends to maintain a more uniform temperature and has smaller waves. This creates an ideal habitat for various types of flora and fauna, typically including turtles, fish, snakes, birds, and many insect species.
What is a Lake?
A lake is a large body of water, deeper than a pond.
Compared to ponds, lakes are deeper. As a result, sunlight cannot reach the bottom. This makes it nearly impossible for plant life to grow beneath the surface.
Unlike the consistent water temperature in ponds, lake water temperatures can vary greatly, depending on the depth fluctuations and flowing branches, while also creating larger waves.
In addition to frogs and insects like ponds, lakes can be habitats for crocodiles, beavers, otters, snakes, or other creatures depending on the area or environment.
Some conventions with the authority of scientists worldwide have shared some insights about these two concepts. For example, according to the Ramsar Convention, a pond is defined as a body of water with an area of less than 8 hectares or under 20 acres.
Conversely, some states in the U.S. consider a lake to be a body of water with an area of at least 10 acres. By this convention, there are over 10,000 lakes in the state of Minnesota alone.
However, both lakes and ponds are similar in that they provide important habitats for wildlife and support biodiversity in biological ecosystems.
