Lagoons and Backwaters

Backwaters are formed due to action of shore currents and waves resulting in formation of islands of low barrier across the river mouth. Backwater broadens opportunities for recreational activities like fishing. Backwaters result in formation of shallow lakes and swamps. The meandrous types of old river creation also occurred due to the backwater. Backwater is created due to temporary water obstruction and recent flooding. The lagoons are initially signified as the part of the main water body, which is primarily connected to the larger part of the water. Oceans are the main segments of lagoons and backwater.  

Lagoons and backwaters: Overview

Artificial canals connect backwater and thus forms an economical means for transportation. Furthermore, backwater results in conduction of trading affairs through inland navigation. Kerala backwater is utilized for agriculture, fishing and transportation purposes. The initial term backwater is obtained from the 14th century and the original meaning of backwater is “Water behind the dam”. The general term of backwater is considered as one of the biodiversity forms of water segmentation. The tributaries draining the river initially generate more elevation values than the original river, where the backwater primarily drains. However, the backwater surrounding lake tributaries have conducted a higher elevation than the floor of the natural tributaries, which initially runoff the excessive water drains. The lagoons are usually connected to the larger part of the water body, that is usually the oceans. The lagoon is initially connected to the coral reef and sandbar. The lagoons are primarily divided into two segments that include the atoll lagoons and coastal lagoons. The lagoons and backwater both are examples of clam water bodies that are primarily adjacent to the larger part of the water body.  

Significance of backwater and lagoons

• The lagoons are initially connected through the larger part of the water-body. Lagoons are a major part of biodiversity. 
• The two types of lagoons are Atoll lagoons and coastal lagoons. The above-mentioned lagoons are the initial part of the water transients. 
• The coastal lagoons are referred to as transitional zones existing between sea and land. Coastal lagoons are defined to be shallow water bodies separated by barriers from the ocean. 
• In marine water, coastal waters are initiated as a mixture of saltwater and freshwater. Saltwater is mixed by the tides and the freshwater primarily drains into the lagoons from floods and different types of the river.
• The lagoons are the important aspects of the local economics, important industries, such as fishing and tourism.
• The nature of backwater and lagoons depends on the local level of water, where the local water level is high, the coastal lagoons are observed as coastal lakes. However, areas with low water levels are considered a swamp.
• The atoll lagoons are initially found in the tropical nature-oriented water of the Indian Ocean and pacific oceans. The coral reef that primarily grows around the volcanic islands initially forms the atoll lagoons. 

Difference between lagoon and backwater

• The Backwater is associated with multiple types of rivers and lagoons are primarily associated with coastal and marine environments. 
• Backwater initially works as a transient variant and lagoons primarily work as a permanent feature, which is determined by the water level and local sea. 
• Presence of rich flora and fauna make lagoons much more biodiverse than that of the backwater.

Conclusion

The lagoons and backwater are initially interconnected to each other. The lagoon was partially separated from the larger body of water, where the backwater is defined as the sluggish water of current. Hence, it is primarily concluded that the backwater is initially associated with different types of water and multiple water creation occurs due to backwater. The lagoon is initially associated with coastal and marine environments. The biodiversity of lagoons tends to be high in comparison to backwater. Appropriate lagoon designing holds innumerable advantages for instance reduced cost, labour, operating cost.