South Korea’s Major Lakes: Reservoirs, Recreation, and Water Security

South Korea has few natural lakes—most "major lakes" are multipurpose reservoirs created by damming rivers for water supply, flood control, hydropower, and recreation. The ten largest:

1. Soyangho (Lake Soyang) – Gangwon-do. Largest by surface area (70 km²). 1973 dam. Water source for Seoul metro.
2. Chungjuho (Lake Chungju) – Chungcheongbuk-do. 66.5 km². 1985 dam. Flood control, power, tourism.
3. Daecheongho (Lake Daecheong) – Chungcheongnam-do. 72.8 km². 1980 dam. Supplies Daejeon, Cheongju.
4. Hapcheonho (Lake Hapcheon) – Gyeongsangnam-do. 46.8 km². 1988 dam. Irrigation, power.
5. Imhaho (Lake Imha) – Gyeongsangbuk-do. 32.5 km². 1991 dam. Water supply, recreation.
6. Paldangho (Lake Paldang) – Gyeonggi-do. Critical for Seoul’s drinking water (Han River).
7. Cheongpyeongho (Lake Cheongpyeong) – Gyeonggi-do. 1944 dam (oldest major). Recreation hub.
8. Uiamho (Lake Uiam) – Gangwon-do. 1967 dam. Scenic, water sports.
9. Bomunho (Lake Bomun) – Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Tourism center (resorts, cherry blossoms).
10. Hwajinpo (Lake Hwajinpo) – Gangwon-do. Coastal lagoon, migratory birds, historic villas.

Note: Natural lakes (e.g., crater lakes on Jeju) are small. These reservoirs define Korea’s water security—and its weekend getaways.