- Lake Naivasha
Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Naivasha
image_lake = Birds at Lake Naivasha (300261994).jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =
coords = coord|0|46|6.70|S|36|21|2.32|E|type:waterbody_region:KE|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = Kenya
length =
width =
area = 139 km²
depth = 6 m (20 ft)
max-depth = 30 m (100 ft)
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 1,884 m (6,180 ft)
islands =
cities =
frozen =Lake Naivasha is a
freshwater lake inKenya , lying north west ofNairobi , outside the town ofNaivasha . It is part of theGreat Rift Valley . The name derives from the local Maasai name "Nai'posha", meaning "rough water" because of the sudden storms which can arise. The lake has a surface area of 139 km², "THE OUTFLOW OF LAKE NAIVASHA BASED ON THE STABLE ISOTOPE COMPOSITION" (characteristics), M.K. Arusei, J. K Sanga, M.P Tole, Department of Chemistry, School of Environmental Studies,Moi University , P.O Box 3900Eldoret, Kenya , webpage: [http://www.unep.org/gef/content/pdf/35-Arusei.pdf UNEP-Moi-Arusei-PDF] .] and is surrounded by a swamp which covers an area of 64 squarekm , but this can vary largely depending on rainfall. It is situated at an altitude of 1,884 metres (6,180 ft). The lake has an average depth of 6m (20 ft), with the deepest area being at Crescent Island, at a maximum depth of 30 m (100ft ).Njorowa Gorge used to form the lake's outlet, but it is now high above the lake and forms the entrance toHell's Gate National Park .The lake is home to a variety of wildlife; over 400 different
species ofbird have been reported. There is a sizeable population of hippos in the lake. There are two smaller lakes in the vicinity of Lake Naivasaha:Lake Oloiden andLake Sonachi (a greencrater lake ). TheCrater Lake Game Sanctuary lies nearby, while the lake shore is known for its population ofEurope animmigrant s and settlers.Between 1937 and 1950 the lake was used as a landing place for
flying boat s on theImperial Airways passenger and mail route fromSouthampton in Britain toSouth Africa . It linkedKisumu andNairobi .Joy Adamson , the author of "Born Free ", lived on the shores of the lake in the mid-1960s.Also on the shores of the lake is the
Djinn Palace , which gained notoriety in the Happy Valley days between the twoworld war s. It now forms part of the Oserian flower farm.Floriculture forms the main industry around the lake. However, the largely unregulated use of lake water for irrigation is reducing the level of the lake and is the subject of concern in Kenya.Fishing in the lake is also another source of employment and income for the local population. The lake varies in level greatly and almost dried up entirely in the 1890s. Having refilled, water levels are now dropping again.The town of
Naivasha (formerly East Nakuru) lies on the north east edge of the lake.Industry
In 1981, the first geothermal plant for Lake Naivasha was commissioned and by 1985, a total of 45 MW of electricity was being generated in the area.
The water level for Lake Naivasha reached a low level of 0.6 m depth in 1945,but the water level rose again, with minor drops, to reach a maximum depth nearly 6 m in 1968. There was another major decline of the water level in 1987, when the depth reached 225 cm above the lake bottom.
The decline of the lake water level in 1987 increased concern in the future of geothermal industry, and it was speculated that Lake Naivasha underground water might be feeding the geothermal
reservoir at Olkaria. Hence, the decline in the lake water would affect the future of the geothermal industry.ee also
*
Lake Baringo
*Lake Bogoria
*Lake Nakuru
*Lake Turkana
*Rift Valley lakes
*Great Rift Valley Notes
External links
* [http://www.earthwatch.org/site/pp.asp?c=crLQK3PHLsF&b=2714675 Lakes of the Rift Valley By Bart Vereecke]
* [http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/afr/dsafr013.html Data sheet for Lake Naivasha]
* [http://www.africansermonsafaris.com/Nakuru&Naivashalodges.html Naivasha Hotels and Lodges]
* [http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/research_groups/african_lakes/Naivasha.html African lakes and rivers research group]
* [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16495 NASA Earth Observatory image]
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