Lake Titicaca Evaporating Away

by Barbara McPherson | November 27, 2009 at 10:14 am

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The largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca, is in danger of evaporating away. A disturbing trend is seen in the retreating water levels of this important lake located in Bolivia and Peru. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and provides a livlihood for millions of people.

Located nearly 4,000 metres above sea level on the border of Bolivia and Peru, Titicaca has sunk to its lowest levels in 60 years and is believed to be evaporating at a rate of two to three centimetres a week.

Global warming is blamed for an increase in evaporation rates. The recharge rate from melting glaciers is also changing.
Parts of Lake Titicaca are fairly shallow and during a drought in 1993 the lake split into two.