Yamdrok Lake

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Lake Yamzho Yumco (at the top) and Lake Puma Yumco from space, November 1997

Lake Yamdrok Tso photographed from the Gamta pass ("Friendship highway" from Lhasa to Gyantse)

Yamdrok Lake (Tibetan: Yamdrok Yumtso, ཡར་འབྲོག་གཡུ་མཚོ་; Wylie: Yar-'brog G.yu-mtsho; ZWPY: Yamzho Yumco; Chinese: 羊卓雍錯) is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet ( 28°56′N, 90°41′E). It is over 72 km (45 miles) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end.

Around 90 km to the west of the lake lies the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is a hundred km to the northwest. According to local mythology, Yamdok Yumtso lake is the transformation of a goddess.

Yamdrok Lake, also known as Yamḍok Yumtso, has a power station that was completed and dedicated in 1996 near the small village of Pai-Ti at the lake’s western end. This power station is the largest in Tibet.

[edit] Physical data

The lake (621 km² in area, of depth unknown) is fan-shaped, spreading to the South but narrowing up to the North. The mountainous lakeshore is highly crenellated, with numerous bays and inlets. The lake has a dozen of islands, the largest of which is about 3000 km². Lakes Yamdok Yumtso freezes up in winter.

[edit] Exploitation

There are shoals of fish living in Yamdok Yumtso lake, which are commercially exploited by local population. From April to October, fish caught from this lake are sold at markets in Lhasa, the provincial capital.

Additionally, the lake's islands serve as rich pasture land to local herdmen.

[edit] Reference

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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