Zhang et al. (2026) Lake bathymetric reconstruction and water storage estimation method based on terrain feature similarity

Identification

• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-03-26
• Authors: Xuteng Zhang, Changxian Qi, Dezhong Xu, Yu Chen, Hui Li, Han Peng
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-43121-7

Research Groups

• Xining Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center, China Geological Survey
• School of Civil Engineering and Water Resources, Qinghai University
• Laboratory of Water Ecological Management and Protection in River Source Areas, Ministry of Water Resources
• State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture

Short Summary

This study proposes a novel method for lake bathymetric reconstruction and water storage estimation by extrapolating surrounding topographic parameters, demonstrating its applicability and accuracy for lakes on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, particularly for those lacking measured underwater data.

Objective

• To develop and validate a method for reconstructing lake bathymetry and estimating water storage based on the similarity of surrounding topographic parameters, especially for lakes lacking measured underwater topography data.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Regional (Qinghai–Tibet Plateau), with validation performed on nine individual lakes.
• Temporal Scale: Not explicitly defined for the method itself; validated using existing monitoring or research data.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: A novel lake water storage estimation method based on extrapolating surrounding topographic parameters (e.g., slope variations) to reconstruct underwater topography. The model incorporates multiple functional forms and multidirectional profile combinations.
• Data sources: Existing monitoring data, research data, satellite imagery (e.g., Landsat, Sentinel-3A, MODIS), Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) like SRTM, and measured bathymetric data for validation.

Main Results

• The proposed method achieved relative errors for simulated maximum water depth ranging from 8% to 47%, with higher errors observed for Yamdrok Lake and Dongge Co’nag.
• Relative errors for simulated average water depth ranged from 7.5% to 47%, with greater deviations for Xingxinghai and Kuhai Lake.
• For Ra’ang Co, Cuoe Lake, Anglaren Co, and Mapam Yumco, the relative error when compared with measured points was less than 20%.
• The model's use of multiple functional forms and multidirectional profile combinations enhanced the consistency of results with actual geomorphological characteristics and improved robustness against topographic noise.

Contributions

• Provides a novel and useful reference method for estimating water storage in lakes that lack measured underwater topography data, which is particularly valuable for data-scarce regions.
• Enhances the robustness and accuracy of bathymetric reconstruction by incorporating multiple functional forms and multidirectional profile combinations, leading to results more consistent with actual geomorphology.

Funding

• Geological Survey of China (GSC) project [Grant No. DD20220960]

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Lake,
  author = {Zhang, Xuteng and Qi, Changxian and Xu, Dezhong and Chen, Yu and Li, Hui and Peng, Han},
  title = {Lake bathymetric reconstruction and water storage estimation method based on terrain feature similarity},
  journal = {Scientific Reports},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-43121-7},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43121-7}
}