Rawal Lake

Rawal Lake is an artificial reservoir in Islamabad Capital Territory, fed by the Korang River and small tributaries from the Margalla Hills. The body of water covers an area of 8.8 square kilometers and reaches a depth of 31 meters (about 102 feet) in places.

The reservoir was created in 1962 when the Punjab Government built a dam to secure drinking water for the newly founded capital and neighboring Rawalpindi. The project ended a severe water shortage that was troubling the region at that time.

The name Rawal comes from a village elder who once lived in the area before the valley was flooded. Today, residents from Rawalpindi and Islamabad visit the shoreline for picnics, especially on weekends when groups gather for outdoor meals together.

The water is not suitable for swimming as the reservoir serves as a drinking water source, but visitors can walk along the shoreline. The best months to visit are October through March, when the weather is cooler and migratory birds arrive.

Fifteen native fish species live in the reservoir, including carp that sometimes appear in shallow shore zones. In winter, mallard ducks and other migratory birds use the water as a resting place on their way south.