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δ18O measurements based on systematic sampling and isotopic modeling have been adopted to study the controls of stable isotopes in lakewater in two lake basins (lakes Yamdrok-tso and Puma Yumtso) at two different elevations on the southern Tibetan Plateau. Temporally, d18O values in precipitation and lake water display a seasonal fluctuation in both lakes. Spatially, δ18O values in the two lake basins increase by 10%from the termini of glaciers to the lake shores, by ~1% from the lake shores to the lake center and by 0.4% from the water surface to depth in these lakes. The clear annual δ18O variations indicate that lake water mixes sufficiently in a short time. Model results show that glacial meltwater and surface lake-water temperature are not the dominant factors in the balance process of stable isotopes in lake water. Equilibrium d18O values decrease by 0.8%for Yamdrok-tso lake and 0.6% for Puma Yum-tso lake when glacial meltwater contributions to these lakes shrink by 60%. δ18O ratios increase rapidly during the initial stages and take a longer time to approach the equilibrium value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]