Which term best describes a temporary desert lake that forms after rainfall?

• A. Oxbow Lake
• B. Lake
• C. Swamp
• D. Playa Lake

Answer: (D)

The term that fits a temporary desert lake formed after rainfall is playa lake. In arid landscapes, basins called playas collect rainwater briefly, creating a shallow, temporary lake. Because these regions are hot and dry, the water evaporates quickly, often leaving a salty or saline crust and a flat, dry lake bed afterward. This contrasts with a true lake, which is a more persistent body of water; an oxbow lake forms from a river’s meander and is not characteristic of desert basins; and a swamp is a wetland with abundant vegetation and lasting water, not a temporary desert pool. So, the best fit for a rainfall-filled, short-lived desert lake is playa lake.