Lake Naivasha

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 in Kenya, lying north west of Nairobi, outside the town of Naivasha. It is part of the Great 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 3900 Eldoret, 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 square km, 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 6 m (20 ft), with the deepest area being at Crescent Island, at a maximum depth of 30 m (100 ft).

Njorowa Gorge used to form the lake's outlet, but it is now high above the lake and forms the entrance to Hell's Gate National Park.

The lake is home to a variety of wildlife; over 400 different species of bird 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 and Lake Sonachi (a green crater lake). The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary lies nearby, while the lake shore is known for its population of European immigrants and settlers.

Between 1937 and 1950 the lake was used as a landing place for flying boats on the Imperial Airways passenger and mail route from Southampton in Britain to South Africa. It linked Kisumu and Nairobi.

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 two world wars. 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]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lake Naivasha — Naivashasee Geographische Lage: Ostafrika, Kenia Zuflüsse: Gilgil und Male …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Lake Naivasha Panorama Park — (Naivasha,Кения) Категория отеля: 3 звездочный отель Адрес: Off Moi Sout …   Каталог отелей

  • Lake Naivasha Country Club — (Naivasha,Кения) Категория отеля: 5 звездочный отель Адрес: South Lake Ro …   Каталог отелей

  • Lake Naivasha Country Club — The Lake Naivasha Country Club is located on the opposite shore of Lake Naivasha from the town of Naivasha, Kenya.Built using old colonial architecture and opened in 1937, Lake Naivasha Country Club General Information (wildlife, map, photos),… …   Wikipedia

  • Naivasha, Lake — Lake, southwest central Kenya. Located in the Great Rift Valley, at 6,135 ft (1,870 m) above sea level, it is 12 mi (19 km) long and 9 mi (14 km) wide and has an area of 108 sq mi (280 sq km); it has no known outlet. It serves as a weekend resort …   Universalium

  • Naivasha — The town of Naivasha is northwest of Nairobi (lower center), toward the Uganda border (click map to enlarge). Naivasha is a market town in Rift Valley Province, Kenya, lying north west of Nairobi. It is located on the shore of Lake Naivasha and… …   Wikipedia

  • Naivasha-See — Naivashasee Geographische Lage: Ostafrika, Kenia Zuflüsse: Gilgil und Male …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • lake — lake1 /layk/, n. 1. a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, surrounded by land. 2. any similar body or pool of other liquid, as oil. 3. (go) jump in the lake, (used as an exclamation of dismissal or impatience.) [bef. 1000; ME lak(e) …   Universalium

  • Lake — /layk/, n. Simon, 1866 1945, U.S. engineer and naval architect. * * * I Relatively large body of slow moving or standing water that occupies an inland basin. Lakes are most abundant in high northern latitudes and in mountain regions, particularly …   Universalium

  • Lake Turkana — Infobox lake lake name = Lake Turkana Jade Sea image lake = Lake turkana.jpg caption lake = image bathymetry = caption bathymetry = coords = coord|3|3|N|36|1|E|type:waterbody region:KY/ET|display=inline,title type = Saline, monomictic, alkaline,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”