lakes and reservoirs hold about 90% of the worlds surface fresh water. some one billion people are at risk from over-use, water withdrawals and pollution of these water bodies (9th international conference on conservation and management of lakes, japan 2001 and 3rd world water forum, kyoto 2003) the encyclopedia of lakes and reservoirs will therefore be a vital reference for hydrologists, civil engineers, ecologists and environmental scientists worldwide. the book contributes to the physical, chemical and ecological characteristics of lakes and reservoirs as well as describing their uses and environmental state trends in different parts of the world. over 80 scientists from over 25 countries have contributed in both large and small ways in this authoritative volume. superbly illustrated throughout, it includes over 200 entries in a wide range of topics including acidification, artificialisation, biology, canals, climate change effects, chemicals, dams, dew ponds, drainage, ecological, eutrofication, evaporation, fisheries, geographical, geological, hydrological, hydro-electric power, nutrients, organic pollution, paleolimnology, reservoir capacities and depths, sedimentation and water resources. these include many of the modern environmental and controversial problems.