lakes and marshes; inland waters
Collective term for lakes, marshes, and wetlands, often used in geography, ecology, and environmental contexts.
この地域には多くの湖沼が点在している。
Many lakes and marshes are scattered throughout this region.
Small lakes and marshes are scattered throughout this region.
湖沼の水質調査が行われた。
A water quality survey of the lakes and marshes was conducted.
The local government is advancing measures to conserve the lakes and marshes.
In recent years, the water quality of lakes and marshes near cities has deteriorated.
沼 denotes one marsh or swamp, while 湖沼 groups marshes together with lakes as a single geographic category.
湖沼 is a formal, technical term covering lakes and marshes together, used in geography or environmental writing, unlike the casual, name-like レーク.
Compound of 湖 (lake) and 沼 (marsh). The reading こしょう is the on'yomi of both characters.