Water level changes in Taihu Lake from 1960 and influencing factors

The water level data from 1960-2018 at Taihu Lake were subject to statistical analysis, Mann-Kendall mutation test and Morlet wavelet analysis, to understand dynamics of hydrology and influencing factors．The water level at Taihu Lake was found to show a slow upward trend from 1960-2018, generally but with sporadic extreme changes．Annual water level was found to show a single peak consistent with the impact of rainfall, especially during the flood season．Periodicity analysis revealed a stable 9-years time scale, 22- and 28-years time scales of strong changes．Over the 60 years period, changes in water level were found to be significantly correlated with precipitation and human activities, with strong synchronization between influencing factors．Reasonable fluctuations in water levels should influence allocation of water resources, as well as local ecology and hydrology．Appropriate water conservancy measures should benefit the healthy development of Taihu Lake ecosystem．