INTRODUCTION: The nutrient threshold of collapse and recovery of submerged macrophytes have been widely reported for shallow lakes. However, understanding the threshold variation for lakes with water depth (Z) gradients remains limited. METHODS: In this study, based on a field investigation of 9 lakes with varying water depths and nutrient levels in the Yunnan Plateau, southwest of China, we integrated water depth to predict the nutrient threshold of collapse and recovery of submerged macrophytes in lakes. RESULTS: Our results showed that: 1) Canopy-forming submerged macrophytes, i.e. DISCUSSION: Our findings on the thresholds of macrophyte collapse and recovery are expected to provide quantitative guidance for lake restoration of diverse water depths.