Changes in glacial lakes in the Poiqu River basin in the central Himalayas

Abstract. The Poiqu River basin is an area of concentration for glaciers and glacial lakes in the central Himalayas, where 147 were identified, based on perennial remote sensing images, with lake ranging from 0.0002 to 5.5 km2 – a total 19.89 km2. Since 2004, retreat rate glacier has reached as high 5.0 a−1, while growth 0.24 a−1. We take five typical our case study find that reaches 31.2 %, expanded by 166 %. Moreover, we reconstruct topography calculate water capacity propose balance equation (WBE) explore evolution. By applying WBE lakes, supplies last few years compare this results field surveys, which are agreement, within error only 1.86 % average. also reveals depend strongly altitude. Lakes at low altitudes supplied melting, snowmelts. not applicable predicting future changes under climate warming conditions but useful assessing resources rivers Himalayas.