Similarities and Differences Between River Lake and Pond

River, Lake,Lagoons and Pond are body of water and the main difference is water movement. Commonly, rivers flow in only one direction towards ocean and rest of the waterbodies are standing and available in significant sizes.

River

Chambal_river_valley

Rivers are flowing water bodies that flows into the ground towards ocean,sea or towards another river. Rivers are part of the hydrological cycle and main source of water for people and animals.

The Ganges
Godavari
Narmada
Brahmaputra

Lake

Upper_Lake_bhopal

Lake is a still water body surrounded by land and most found in mountainous areas of India, feed by rain water or streams. Lakes are fresh water,Salt lakes,,Crater lakes,Glacial lakes,natural lakes and can be artificial.

Vembanad Lake
Pangong Lake
Lonar Lake

Lagoon

Brackish-Lagoons-Alleppey

Lagoons are shallow water bodies, get separated from a larger water body by an islands, barrier or reefs. They can be man made and commonly called as coastal lagoons, Lagoons at the river or ocean mouth are classified as estuaries.

Chilika Loggon
Kerala Backwaters

– Pond

Pond is a standing body of water, usually smaller than a lake and home for aquatic plants and animals such as Mugger, pond heron and aquatic birds. Ponds are frequently human constructed and contain shallow water for aquatic plants and animals.