Preliminary results of hybrid bathymetry and GLOF risk assessment for Neelkanth lake, Lahaul Himalaya, India.

In this study, field-based bathymetry of Neenkanth lake in the Lahaul Himalaya, India, was carried out. Volume estimation and calculation of peak discharge, and the results thus obtained have been compared with empirically derived values. Average morphological characteristics of this lake are the depth of 5.78 m, area of 22,925.80 m2 and volume of 132,511.12 m3 . The quantitative glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) characteristics derived from the empirical models were found to be much higher than the measured values of the lake. A qualitative approach was adopted to determine dam breach assessment indicators, viz. dam type, dam geometry, height of the freeboard, etc. GLOF potential was found to be high considering majority of qualitative parameters; however, field measurements indicate a low risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]