Lake Kutubu

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Kutubu
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =
coords = coord|6|24|S|143|20|E|type:waterbody_region:PG|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = "underground sources", several streams
outflow =
catchment = 250 km²
basin_countries = Papua New Guinea
length =
width =
area = 49.24 km²
depth =
max-depth = 70 m
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 800 m
islands =
cities =

Lake Kutubu is a lake in the Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea. It lies to the east of the Kikori River, into which it eventually drains. It is about 50 km southwest of Mendi, the provincial capital. It is one of the few lakes in the . [http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/g200/g187.html Lakes Kutubu and Sentani] at WWF]

The water of Lake Kutubu is clear, and the lake reaches a depth of 230 feet (70 m). It is fed by several streams, most of its contents come from underground sources. The catchment is inhabited by two main ethnic groups, the Foe to the south and the Fasu to the north. Thirty-three villages lie in the catchment area, with a total estimated population of 10,885.

The lake gave its name to the nearby Kutubu Oil Project, Papua New Guinea's first commercial oilfield development, operated by Oil Search Limited, and which began production in 1992. [ [http://www.oilsearch.com/html/kutubu.cfm Kutubu] on Oil Search Limited website] The development has supported the local economy, and caused a general in-migration to the area, and ecological problems resulting from rapid population growth, including pollution, forest destruction and overfishing. A proposed gas pipeline and road are expected to exacerbate these problems unless they are well-managed.

Lake Kutubu includes 12 endemic fish species, making it the most unusual lacustrine habitat for fishes in the New Guinea-Australia region. The endemic fish species include: [List taken from [http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/ecoregions/kutubu_sentani_lakes.cfm Lakes Kutubu and Sentani - A Global Ecoregion] from the WWF, although it reports a figure of 11 species.]
* Kutubu tandan ("Oloplotosus torobo")
* Lake Kutubu rainbowfish ("Melanotaenia lacustris")
* Kutubu hardyhead ("Craterocephalus lacustris")
* Adamson's grunter ("Hephaestus adamsoni")
* Lake Kutubu mogurnda ("Mogurnda kutubuensis")
* Blotched mogurnda ("Mogurnda spilota")
* Variegated mogurnda ("Mogurnda variegata")
* Sentani rainbowfish ("Chilatherina sentaniensis")

Because of its biodiversity and ecological significance, the area has been designated a "Wetland of International Significance" by the Ramsar Convention. The area included in this designation matches the Lake Kutubu Wildlife Management Area (240.57 km²). [http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5060/ Kikori River Basin - Great Papuan Plateau] at World Heritage Sites tentative lists] The area is undergoing study by the World Wildlife Fund and the drafting of a catchment management plan has commenced, which is anticipated to become a model for other catchments in Papua New Guinea. [ [http://www.adb.org/Water/PDA/PNG/Inception-Report-Lake-Kutubu.pdf Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Plan: Project Inception Report] , page 3.] The project is to be completed by December 2007. [Ibid., page 5] The Lake Kutubu area is also included in the tentatively listed Kikori River Basin - Great Papuan Plateau World Heritage Site.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.adb.org/Water/PDA/PNG/Inception-Report-Lake-Kutubu.pdf Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Plan: Project Inception Report] , also includes topographic map on Page 12
* [http://www.adb.org/Water/PDA/PNG/map-png.gifMap of Lake Kutubu catchment] produced by WWF
* [http://www.ramsar.org/wn/w.n.png_site.htm Lake Kutubu - newest Ramsar site in Papua New Guinea]