Sukhna Lake is a large artificial lake that covers an area of 3 kms. This is one of the Rainfed Lakes which also receives water from the seasonal stream. These flow from the Shiwalik mountains of the Himalayas. The 3 kms wide Sukhna Lake was dammed by the natural seasonal stream that flows directly from the Shiwaliks. Along with water the stream also brought heavy silt which chocked almost the entire lake hampering its scenic beauty. To check the inflow of the silt a wide area of 25.42 kms of land is acquired which is utilised for vegetation. In1974 a bridge was built which would create a diversion and bypasses the lake that will help to maintain the lake silt free.

Sukhna Lake is one of the most important parts of Chandigarh. The city of Chandigarh is decorated with one of the finest gardens and prominent lakes that entertain the local people who love to visit these sites in the weekends. Prominent among them is the famous Rock gardens made by Nek Chand and Sukhna Lake which was constructed by Le Corbusier and the Chief Engineer P L Verma. This lake is considered as a major gift of the engineers that decorate the city. To retain its tranquillity of the lake the city prohibits the movement of vehicles on the dam which is free for the pedestrians.

Alongwith its cool atmosphere and location in the foothills of the great Himalayas, the lake provides one of the most refreshing atmospheres for all morning walker and the evening walkers who visit the place. Also the painters get ample opportunity to draw some of the splendid scenes of the lake. With the sunset and sunrise it provides great scope for photography as well. This is one of the most attractive sites which is flooded with migratory birds. The white cranes and swans are some of the common birds found in the lake. Along with other excitements the lake also provides opportunity for boating and other water sports which are conducted by the state government.

Sukhna Lake further provides club membership which provides access to the lawns, gyms, indoor games, swimming pool and tennis courts with both synthetic and grass courts. Boating, rowing, sculling, sailing, kayaking and water skiing are some more activities which can be enjoyed throughout the year. Also the lake had been the biggest venue for Asian Rowing Championship which provided the longest channel for rowing and yachting events in Asia. It also has facilities for other water sports like water surfing, skiing and sculling. Besides this it is one of the most popular sites in Chandigarh which has been the venue for a number of food festivals that take place in every season. The most popular is the Mango festival that occurs during the summer season. The lake has been the centre of a number of voluntary services that occur on the personal initiative of the local people. For the maintenance the lake authorities receive funds from the state government who takes special initiative to maintain the lake.

Thus surrounded with the great mount peaks of Himalayas this is one of most picturesque sites of Chandigarh. Though located at the heart of the city it remains free from pollution as well as from the busy crowd of the city.