Phoksundo Lake

Lake in Nepal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Phoksundo Lake is an alpine fresh water oligotrophic lake in Nepal's Shey Phoksundo National Park at an elevation of 3,611.5 m (11,849 ft) in the Dolpa District. Phoksundo Lake is 494 ha (1.91 sq mi) in size with a water volume of 409,000,000 m3 (1.44×1010 cu ft) and a discharge of 3.715 m3/s (131.2 cu ft/s).[2] In 2004, a survey by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology measured the maximum depth of the lake at 145 m (476 ft).[3] In 2019, another detailed survey was carried out by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, which measured the maximum depth of the lake at 136.20 m (446.9 ft).[4]

Coordinates29°12′30″N 82°57′30″E
Primary outflowsSuligad River
BasincountriesNepal
Quick facts Location, Coordinates ...
Phoksundo Lake
फोक्सुण्डो, pronounced [pʰoksuɳɖo]
Location of Phoksundo Lake in Nepal.
Location of Phoksundo Lake in Nepal.
Phoksundo Lake
Bathymetric Map of Phoksundo Lake published by Department of Hydrology and Meteorology in 2019
LocationDolpa District, Nepal
Coordinates29°12′30″N 82°57′30″E
Primary outflowsSuligad River
Basin countriesNepal
Max. length5.64 km (3.50 mi)
Max. width549.89–975.24 m (1,804.1–3,199.6 ft)
Surface area485 ha (4.85 km2)
Max. depth136.20 m (446.9 ft)
Water volume398.73×10^6 m3 (14.081×10^9 cu ft)
Shore length118,295.26 m (60,023.8 ft)
Surface elevation3,589 m (11,775 ft)
Designated23 September 2007
Reference no.1694[1]
Location
Interactive map of Phoksundo Lake
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.
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In September 2007, Phoksundo Lake has been designated a Ramsar site.[5]

On the lake' southern end, the village of Ringmo sits on the 30,000- to 40,000-year-old landslide dam that formed the lake.[6] Past the dam, the waters of the lake plunge over a 167 m (548 ft) tall waterfall.

Religious significance

There are more than 20 Tibetan stupas in the northern belt, and one gompa in the eastern side of the lake, where annual prayers and worship are carried out. Traditional Tibetan culture prevails in upper Dolpo; Buddhism and Masto are prevalent in lower Dolpo, including Ringmo village.[2]

References

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