Abstract: Six notable flood marks and corrosion grooves on the Shizhongshan cliff of Poyang Lake higher than the current water level were identified through observations, and were further compared with the Holocene sedimentary profile of Poyang Lake and other climate information. The flood marks and grooves indicate the change and the duration of water level of Poyang Lake in different periods. Three lower flood marks are highly reproducible and last for short time, while the higher three flood grooves are less reproducible and last longer, which may indicate the water level of Poyang Lake in the context of warm period since mid-Holocene. By comparing the flood marks and grooves with the Holocene sedimentary profile on the east side of Poyang Lake and the climatic background in the corresponding period, we can infer the possible formation times of flood imprints and grooves at different heights, and preliminary reveal the historical flood information of water level change of Poyang Lake in the middle and late Holocene. The present research proves that the water level of Poyang Lake is indeed closely related to the climate background.

Key words: water level, historical flood, climate change, sedimentary profile, Poyang Lake, Shizhongshan