Lakes play multiple hydrological, ecological, and social functions. Historically, they played a critical role in water storage. They served as retention structures, protecting against droughts, floods, and monsoon variability. The physical characteristics of lakes influence their behavior and therefore their role (function) in society. Further, with rapid urbanization, over time, both the form and function of lakes have evolved. Understanding how to manage these lakes, therefore, necessitates a deeper understanding of the interplay between the physical characteristics, lake behavior and functions.

Man-made lakes were created by damming intermittent streams with crescent-shaped earthen bunds. They often form a cascading sequence along shallow inland valleys (Devi et al., 2020). Unlike their rural counterparts, however, tropical urban lakes are characterized by shallow depths, artificial construction, and frequently hypertrophic conditions (Birch and McCaskie, 1999; Naselli-Flores, 2008).

Urban lakes are in proximity to dense populations and are subject to intensive human use and impact. Urban lakes face persistent challenges, especially in low and middle-income countries. Limited sanitation and frequent discharge of domestic sewage into water bodies compound water quality problems. Inadequate stormwater drainage and widespread impervious surfaces further disrupt the natural hydrological cycle (Oliver et al., 2019). These pressures lead to faster and more unpredictable runoff, reduce soil recharge, and increase flood risk, all contributing to the deterioration of these lakes. In addition to these challenges, urban lakes experience dynamic mixed-layer conditions, especially in tropical climates. The hydrodynamic regimes in these tropical lakes play a significant role in nutrient dynamics through sedimentation and resuspension (Kolding and van Zwieten, 2012). This accelerates the recycling of nutrients and heightens susceptibility to eutrophication compared totemperate lakes (Lewis, 2000).