| Phoksundo Lake | |||||
| Image Bathymetry: | Bathymetric_Map_of_Phoksundo_Lake.jpg | ||||
| Caption Bathymetry: | Bathymetric Map of Phoksundo Lake published by Department of Hydrology and Meteorology in 2019 | ||||
| Outflow: | Suligad River | ||||
| Basin Countries: | Nepal | ||||
| Pushpin Map: | Nepal | ||||
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom | ||||
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of Phoksundo Lake in Nepal. | ||||
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Phoksundo Lake (ne|फोक्सुण्डो|translit=Phoksuṇḍo, pronounced in Nepali pronounced as /pʰoksuɳɖo/) is an alpine fresh water oligotrophic lake in Nepal's Shey Phoksundo National Park, located at an elevation of in the Dolpa District. Phoksundo Lake is in size with a water volume of and a discharge of .[1] In 2004, a survey by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology measured the maximum depth of the lake at .[2] In 2019, another detailed survey was carried out by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, which measured the maximum depth of the lake at .[3]
In September 2007, Phoksundo Lake has been designated a Ramsar site.[4]
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.[5] Past the dam, the waters of the lake plunge over a tall waterfall.
There are more than 20 stupas in the southern 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 Bon are prevalent in lower Dolpo, including Ringmo village.[1]