A dataset of lake level changes in High Mountain Asia using multi-altimeter data

High Mountain Asia is a region dotted with lakes, and monitoring lake level changes is important for the research of climate and ecological changes in the region. However, it is difficult for ground measurements of lake levels due to scarce hydrological sites.

Satellite altimetry technology is a tool for monitoring lake level changes. In this study, a dataset of lake level changes from 2002 to 2017 for 87 lakes in High Mountain Asia was compiled through lake boundary delineation, water level calculation, outlier removal, Gaussian filtering, and elevation system conversion, and developed based on multi-altimeter data and MODIS images. The dataset includes the daily water level, the monthly and annual average water levels, and annual rate of lake level change for 87 lakes, and can support to monitor the dynamics of lake changes, and study the climate and environmental changes and manage the water resources in this region.