Lagoon
The purpose of creating artificial lakes is multifaceted and includes:
- Creating a water source close to populated areas.
- Storing water in case of shortages in large industrial areas.
- Protecting against floods.
- Generating electricity through hydroelectric power.
- Fish farming.
- Storing water for irrigation in large agricultural projects.
- Promoting tourism by creating artificial lakes in resorts and tourist villages.
Stages of building artificial lakes:
- Digging the required depth of the lake while determining its length and width.
- Leveling the ground well to ensure there are no air pockets in the lake’s bottom.
- Ensuring there are no slopes on the lake’s bottom.
- Adding a cement layer to the bottom and walls with a wall thickness of 25 cm.
- Leaving the lake with the cement layer to dry.
- Conducting a leakage test of the cement layer by filling the lake with water and leaving it for 7 days.
- After confirming there is no leakage, empty the lake’s contents and leave it to dry.
- Adding the insulating layer.
- Refilling the lake with water again and leaving it for a period of time to ensure the insulation is safe and there is no water leakage.
- Installing the liner.
Methods of insulating artificial lakes:
- Waterproofing.
- Thermal insulation.
Waterproofing artificial lakes:
Waterproofing is used to insulate artificial lakes and includes the following steps:
- Spraying liquid bitumen on the walls.
- Leaving the bitumen layer to dry.
- Spreading a first layer of geotextile rolls lengthwise and welding the rolls together with heat.
- Adding a second layer of polyethylene rolls widthwise and welding them as well.
- Adding a third layer of the liner.
- Testing the insulating layer.
Maintenance of artificial lakes:
Artificial lakes require regular and periodic maintenance to maintain water quality, cleanliness, and aesthetics. The following are some things that must be done to maintain artificial lakes:
- Checking and cleaning the water pump: The water pump must be checked and cleaned regularly to ensure there are no obstacles that hinder its performance and proper water flow.
- Checking and cleaning the water filter: The water filter must be checked and cleaned regularly to maintain water cleanliness and avoid the accumulation of dirt and sediment.
- Cleaning the water: Cleansers and anti-bacterial materials must be added to the water regularly to maintain its cleanliness and avoid the accumulation of dirt and sediment in the water.
- Checking and cleaning surfaces: Surfaces must be checked and cleaned regularly to maintain their cleanliness and avoid the accumulation of dirt and sediment on them.
- Water desalination: Desalination materials must be added to maintain the correct levels of minerals and salts in the water and avoid the accumulation of sediment on surfaces.
- Checking and cleaning heating and cooling systems: Heating and cooling systems must be checked and cleaned regularly to maintain their proper functioning and avoid sediment accumulation on them.
- Checking and cleaning ventilation systems: Ventilation systems must be checked and cleaned regularly to maintain their proper functioning and avoid the accumulation of dirt and sediment in them.
- Paying attention to acidity and chlorine levels: The acidity and chlorine levels in the water must be tested regularly, and the necessary materials must be added to adjust the levels if necessary.
- Updating the system: The system must be updated regularly, and periodic maintenance must be done on all parts of the lake to maintain its safety and ensure its efficient operation.
In short, artificial lakes require periodic and regular maintenance to maintain their cleanliness, water quality, and aesthetics. Experts in maintaining artificial lakes can be relied upon to provide the best results and maintain the safety and beauty of the lake. Precautionary and preventive measures should be followed to reduce water pollution and maintain the health of plants and animals in the lake. Necessary health and safety standards must be applied to maintain the safety of people who use the lake for swimming or recreation.