Korattur Lake, Chennai

Korattur Aeri, or Korattur Lake, also called Vembu Pasumai Thittu, spreads over 990 acres north of the Chennai–Arakkonam railway line and ranks among the biggest lakes in the city's western part. It forms a chain with the Ambattur and Madhavaram lakes, passing surplus water from one to the next, and briefly supplied Chennai's drinking water during a shortage in the late 1970s. Since then sewage and industrial effluent from Pattaravakkam, Athipet and Ambattur have polluted it.

With Puzhal, Madhavaram and Ambattur lakes it is an important wildlife refuge for north and west Chennai: nearly 40 bird species have been recorded, including the common tailorbird, purple-rumped sunbird and migratory Asian openbill. Palmyra, date palm and umbrella thorn trees line the bund, and water lilies and rushes grow in the water. In 2013 a project was approved to add parks and walkways, and in 2018 about 550 encroachments were removed from the banks.