Puzhal Lake

Puzhal Lake, also known as Red Hills Lake, is a large rain-fed reservoir located in Puzhal, Thiruvallur District, about 20 km northwest of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Constructed in 1876, it is one of the primary reservoirs supplying drinking water to Chennai Metropolitan Area. The lake is noted for its expansive water spread, earthen bunds, and seasonal birdlife, offering a quiet natural setting on the outskirts of the city.

Visitors can expect a large open reservoir with wide water views, earthen embankments and surrounding scrub and agricultural land. The site is primarily for sightseeing, photography and nature observation rather than developed recreation. There are roadside viewpoints along the bund where visitors can view the water spread, observe seasonal birds and enjoy sunrise and sunset. Facilities are minimal and the area is generally quiet, with no boating or water sports for tourists.

Constructed in 1876 during British rule as a rain-fed reservoir to augment water supply to Madras (now Chennai). Formed by building bunds to impound monsoon runoff, it has since remained one of the principal reservoirs in the Chennai water supply system along with Poondi, Cholavaram and Chembarambakkam reservoirs.