Location Dolpa District, Nepal Max. length 5.15 km (3.20 mi) Surface area 494 ha (1.91 sq mi) Surface elevation 3,612 m Length 5.15 km Designated as world heritage site 21 May 1992 | Basin countries Nepal Max. width 800 m (2,600 ft) Max. depth 145 m (476 ft) Area 4.94 km² Width 800 m | |
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Phoksundo Lake, (Nepali: फोक्सुण्डो ताल, NLK Phoksuṇḍo tāl), is an alpine fresh water oligotrophic lake in Nepal's Shey Phoksundo National Park, located at an elevation of 3,611.5 m (11,849 ft) above sea level 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). In 2004, a survey by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology measured the maximum depth of the lake at 145 m (476 ft).
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Map of Shey Phoksundo Lake, Phoksundo 21400, Nepal
In September 2007, Phoksundo Lake has been designated a Ramsar site.
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. Past the dam, the waters of the lake plunge over a 167 m (548 ft) tall waterfall.
Religious significance
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.