Changes in Hydrological Characteristics of Attabad Landslide-Dammed Lake on the KKH

Abstract

Understanding the evolving hydrological characteristics of landslide-induced barrier lakes is crucial for flood control, forecasting, early warning, and safety measures in the reservoir area. This study examines the changes in hydrological characteristics of the Attabad landslide-dammed lake over the past decade after the occurrence of the landslide, focusing on lake area dynamics and sediment concentration. High-resolution satellite images from QuickBird, Pleiades, and WorldView2 over seven periods were analyzed. The findings indicate that the lake area has gradually decreased, with the center of mass shifting towards the lake dam, indicating a trend towards stability. The suspended sediment in the barrier lake is distributed in a strip running from north to south, then northeast to southwest, with sediment concentration decreasing from the lake entrance to the dam and from the lake bank to the center. Over time, the average sediment concentration has decreased from 2010 to 2020, with higher concentrations in summer than in winter. Notably, during the 2017-2020 period, the lower-middle parts of the lake experienced higher sediment concentration, while the dam area witnessed lower concentrations, thereby reducing the sediment impact on the dam.