How lakes disappear. The lakes that now exist will probably disappear in time. Some lakes dry up because of a change in climate or because of a change in the course of the waters that feed them. A bursting volcano or earthquake may change the surface of the surrounding region and cause lakes to disappear. In addition, lakes may drain into other bodies of water and vanish.
Ground water fills the sinkholes in limestone areas.
A long drought in such areas can completely dry up lakes and ponds in sinkholes. A seepage outlet in a sinkhole may also cause a lake to disappear by draining the water into an underground cavern. Many low-lying regions on the earth's surface are the basins of lakes that no longer exist. Small lakes can be filled in by deposits of mud, sand, and silt. These materials may form excellent soils.