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This paper cscribes a method and results for the investigation of the recent hydrological changes in Aral Sea and Lake Balkhash of Central Asia using multi-temporal satellite data. Landcover change of the lakes and their vicinity from 1960's to 1990's were analyzed by comparing the lan&over classification images. Using the analyzed satellite images, a bathymetric map and the meteorological observations, change estimation of water volume and levels, and analysis of water balance in lakes were carried out.It is presumed that the change in Aral Sea has been affected by human activities. Contrary to this, the change of Lake Balk-hash has been affected by both human and natural dimensions.

The high accuracy DEM was produced from the ALOS/PRISM stereo pair data for the purpose of investigation of the fluctuation in the water level and describing of the past lake area of Balkhash Lake. The characteristics and accuracy of the produced DEM were investigated through the comparative analysis of the SRTM DEM and field survey data. Furthermore, the possibility of the micro-topographical features distribution along the lake shore line was investigated.