Lake Vs. Pond: The 3 Main Differences Explained - AZ Animals

Maybe your like

Lake vs Pond - A typical pond — Jasper Suijten/Shutterstock.com

Written by Michelle Stacy

Updated: October 17, 2023

Share on:

How to Add Us to Google News

Sending You to Google News in 3

Follow A-Z Animals on Google

Have you ever looked at a body of water and wondered whether it was a lake or a pond? Here’s everything you need to know when determining whether a body of water is a lake vs. a pond.

Lakes vs. Ponds

Lake vs Pond - A beautiful lake — A beautiful lake setting
©Martin Erdniss/Shutterstock.com

A body of water is called a pond when it is small and enclosed, while a lake is large and open. There are many lakes in the world, even though there are more ponds than lakes. Some lakes can be 4,000+ feet deep, while most ponds are shallow. Many people use the word “lake” to describe any body of water that does not distinguish between its size or depth. The two terms are often used interchangeably because there is no standardization on the matter.

Here are some steps to help you tell the difference between a lake and a pond:

1. Depth: A lake is generally deeper than a pond.

2. Shape: A lake also tends to be more of an oval shape with peninsulas, while ponds usually have rounded edges.

3. Nature: Lakes are mostly freshwater but can contain some amounts of salt water, while ponds are freshwater.

Lake	Pond
Depth	20-4,000 feet	4-20 feet
Outlet	Open	Closed
Size	200+ acres	<200 acres

Lake of the Woods, Minnesota - Ice Fishing in Minnesota — Lakes are usually larger than 200 acres.
©Tony Webster/Wikimedia Commons – Original / License

Here are some other ways you can tell if you’re looking at a lake or a pond:

The Definition of Lakes and Why There’s No Standardization

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has given the following guidelines to distinguish between these two bodies of water.

A pond is a body of water less than 0.5 acres (150 square meters) in an area or less than 20 feet (6 meters) in depth.
A lake is defined as a body of water bigger than 1 acre (4,000 m²), although size is not a reliable indicator of its water quality.

One reason it is difficult to follow any standardizations is when lakes and ponds were named, the people naming them didn’t know what to call them. For example, settlers across America would arbitrarily use lake vs. pond in naming bodies of water. In Vermont, Echo “Lake” is 11 feet deep, while Conway “Pond” reaches 80 feet deep.

The Difference Between a Lake and a Pond

Ducks Serenely Resting Under A Flowing Weeping Willow — Ponds are usually smaller than 200 acres across.
©iStock.com/merrilb

With so many lakes, ponds, and streams in the world, it might not be very clear to know which one is which. A lake has no standard scale of how deep it is.

A pond is formed by slow, gradual excavation, such as from a marsh or bog. You will find pond lilies in ponds, even though lily pads and reeds are more common in lakes. The original layer of sand and mud surrounding the pond is gradually eroded, exposing the bottom. This bottom layer is similar to a marsh or bog and usually comprises a thin layer of rock with a few layers of vegetation.

Many ponds have an underwater garden of aquatic plants and trees. On the surface of ponds, there are areas where the top layers of dirt, rocks, and vegetation have been worn away, exposing the underlying layer of pond soil.

The simplest way to distinguish between a pond and a lake is to find out their depths. A small pond is usually 4 to 20 feet deep, while lakes are typically any depth beyond 20 feet.

In most lakes, the deepest spot is known as the “last drop” or “end of the lake.” The water in a small pond or a natural spring will not have any depth to it. Lakes are deep enough that plants don’t grow on the bottom, but ponds are shallow enough for plants to flourish. Lakes are often fed and drained by rivers and streams.

The Reason Why the Two Terms Are Often Used Interchangeably

Reed Lake — Lakes and ponds are usually teamed with wildlife.
©Shelly MD Photography/Shutterstock.com

Small ponds are often referred to as lakes and vice versa. It’s sometimes hard to distinguish between a lake and a pond because there are few differences. A pond is sometimes called a lake when small and enclosed, while a lake is large and open. One distinction between lakes and ponds is due to the land surrounding the pond. There are three questions you can ask yourself to help determine if you are looking at a lake or a pond.

Does light reach the bottom of the deepest point of the water body?
Does the water body only get small waves?
Is the water body relatively uniform in temperature?

How Deep Are Most Farm Ponds?

A pond should ideally be 6-8 feet deep. Most life happens near the surface, and water deeper than 8 feet isn’t very safe or useful for most species of pond fish. If it gets too deep (over 10 feet), it can lead to problems like low oxygen and fish dying in the summer.

Choosing the right fish for your pond is essential. You can select from a variety of fish types, including surface fish, eye-catching fish with vibrant colors, and those that don’t reproduce rapidly. Surface fish feed at the top, making your pond cleaner, but they may need protection from predators.

Eye-catching fish add beauty to your pond while controlling rapid breeders helps maintain the ecosystem. Suitable pond fish include algae eaters, goldfish, koi carp, sturgeon, and more.

Make your choices wisely for a healthy and stunning pond!

What Life Do You Find in a Lake vs. a Pond?

A lake is home to many different types of plants and animals. Some common plants found in lakes include cranberry, eelgrass, naiad, and even horsetail. Everyday animal life is found in lakes, like mussels, dragonfly larvae, water striders, herons, and ducks. Both species are not always found in the same body of water.

On the other hand, ponds are much more likely to have weeds like tall grass and ferns growing near the water’s edge. Waterfowl often rest on the grassy areas that grow along the water’s edge. Most fish prefer a body of water to be murky and deep enough to hide in when it is not actively feeding.

To know the difference between a lake and a lagoon, read here.

What’s the Largest Artificial Lake in North Carolina

What’s the Largest Artificial Lake in Pennsylvania?

What’s the Largest Man-Made Lake in Georgia?

Share this post on:

How to Add Us to Google News

Sending You to Google News in 3

About the Author

Michelle Stacy

Hey! Nice to meet you. In my work hours, I am a creative and sometimes technical writer, digital marketer, and website developer. My hubby and I have 7 children and 5 furry helpers - 3 dogs and 2 cats. In my "spare" time I like to go for nature walks, kayak, hula-hooping, and do volunteer work in the community. I value time to unplug from all technology in favor of playing board games and cards with my family. I enjoy reading and researching new topics. Thanks for reading!

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?

Contact the AZ Animals editorial team

Name Please provide your name. Email Please provide a valid email address. Message * Submit Feedback

Thank you for your feedback!

We appreciate your help in improving our content.

Our editorial team will review your suggestions and make any necessary updates.

There was an error submitting your feedback. Please try again.

I Used to Be Afraid of Bats — Until an Expert Explained How Much We Depend on Them

Every summer growing up, my brother and I would spend weeks in West Virginia with my grandmother. I learned how…

Meet the Largest Nile Crocodile Ever Recorded

The Nile crocodile is one of the most fearsome predators in the world, sitting at the top of the food…

Record-Setting Yellowfin Tuna Snagged in California Waters

California’s coastal waters are home to plenty of impressive marine life, including the angler favorite: yellowfin tuna. Every so often,… ravens perched together

Crow vs. Raven: How to Tell the Difference

If you have ever spotted a large black bird and wondered, “Is that a crow or a raven?”, you’re not… New Carnivorous death ball sponge found by the ROV SuBastian at 3601 metres at the Trench North dive site, east of Montagu Island.

New Carnivorous death ball sponge found by the ROV SuBastian at 3601 metres at the Trench North dive site, east of Montagu Island.

Meet the Deep Sea’s Newest Oddities, From Zombie Worms to Death Balls

The deep sea around Antarctica just got a whole lot weirder. Researchers exploring the area — one of the most… Vietnamese mossy frog (Theloderma corticale)

Vietnamese mossy frog (Theloderma corticale)

Can You Spot The Difference Between Frog and Fish Eggs?

Although frogs and fish may appear similar from the water’s surface, they have many differences that make them easy to… A selective focus shot of a raven standing on the rocks in a forest

A selective focus shot of a raven standing on the rocks in a forest

Black-Feathered Birdies: What Sets Crows and Ravens Apart

Crows and ravens are two of the coolest, most intelligent birds in North America. Though these two birds are different,… The head of a Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) breaking the surface of the water.

The head of a Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) breaking the surface of the water.

The Remarkable Underwater Sleep Habits of Turtles

When most mammals go to sleep, they lie their weary heads on a pillow, the ground, or curl up in… A close up of the great American Alligator in Black Bayou National reserve in North East Louisiana.

A close up of the great American Alligator in Black Bayou National reserve in North East Louisiana.

The Top 5 Most Alligator-Infested Rivers in Florida

Florida’s fresh bodies of water are perhaps best known for the southern state’s most iconic resident: the American alligator. These… Lace monitor lizard