- Chilka Lake
-
Lake, eastern India.Located in Orissa state, and separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow spit, it is one of India's largest lakes, at 40 mi (65 km) long and 5–13 mi (8–20 km) wide. It was once a bay of the ocean until it was silted up by monsoon tides. Dotted with islands, it offers good hunting, boating, and fishing.
* * *
lake and lagoon in eastern Orissa state, eastern India, separated from the Bay of Bengal (Bengal, Bay of) by a narrow spit. One of India's largest saltwater lakes, it is 40 miles (65 km) long, 5 to 13 miles (8 to 20 km) wide, and about 6 feet (2 metres) deep. The Daya and Bhargavi rivers feed the lake except during the dry months from December to June, when saline ocean water enters through a small passage. Chilka was once a bay of the ocean until silted up by strong monsoon tides. Dotted with islands, it offers good hunting, boating, and fishing (crabs, mackerel, and prawns). The lake is known as a sanctuary and winter stopover for migratory birds. There are fisheries and salt pans around its shores.* * *
Universalium. 2010.