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Kenya Lake System
The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, a natural property of outstanding beauty and diversity was the first to be added to UNESCO's World Heritage List during the current committee session.The Kenya Lakes System consists of three separate but geologically and ecologically related lakes. The lakes are; Lake Elementaita (6,300 ha), Lake Nakuru (18,800ha) and Lake Bogoria (10,700ha) all of which lie in basins on the floor of the Great Rift Valley which transects Kenya North-South. All the three lakes are shallow, alkaline and are hydro-geologically connected through sub surface seepage of water. The alkalinity of the three lakes supports the abundant growth of the green algae (spirulina platensis) which is the food of the lesser flamingoes which congregate in the lakes in great numbers.
Coordinates:
Lake Elementaita: S0 15 E36 01
Lake Nakuru: S0 17 E36 01
Lake Bogoria: N0 15 E36 06
Lake Elementaita
Lake Elementaita is situated 100 Km NNW of Nairobi and lies at altitude of 1670 metres ASL. It is fed by hot springs at its southern end and two small streams; the Mereroni Kariandusi and Mbaruk flowing from the Eastern plateau. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rocky faults, volcanic out crops and cones. To the east, the lake is flanked by small scale agriculture while Ututu and Soysambu wildlife conservancies surround the remainder.
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is 160 Km from Nairobi and is at an altitude of 1750 metres ASL. It is bordered by Nakuru Town on its eastern side while on the western side is the Nakuru National Park. The catchment area of the lake includes Menengai Crater and Bahati highlands to the north and north-east respectively while to the west is the Mau escarpment. The major source of water that feed surface flow to the lake are the Njoro, Makalia and Nderit Rivers while Baharini Springs close the shore of the lake also contribute to the surface flow.
Lake Bogoria
Lake Bogoria is 275 Km from Nairobi and lies at altitude of 1,000 metres ASL. It is bounded by the Siracho escarpment eastern side while the western side is characterized by a relatively flat shore with a series of hot springs and geysers. The lakes catchment area is the Subukia highlands with the main surface flow of water being the Waiseges River.
Why they became world heritage sites:
The three lakes are a network that constitutes the most significant natural habitat for in-situ conservation of threatened and endangered species. The habitat:
The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, a natural property of outstanding beauty and diversity was the first to be added to UNESCO's World Heritage List during the current committee session.The Kenya Lakes System consists of three separate but geologically and ecologically related lakes. The lakes are; Lake Elementaita (6,300 ha), Lake Nakuru (18,800ha) and Lake Bogoria (10,700ha) all of which lie in basins on the floor of the Great Rift Valley which transects Kenya North-South. All the three lakes are shallow, alkaline and are hydro-geologically connected through sub surface seepage of water. The alkalinity of the three lakes supports the abundant growth of the green algae (spirulina platensis) which is the food of the lesser flamingoes which congregate in the lakes in great numbers.
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| Flamingoes on Lake Nakuru |
Coordinates:
Lake Elementaita: S0 15 E36 01
Lake Nakuru: S0 17 E36 01
Lake Bogoria: N0 15 E36 06
Lake Elementaita
Lake Elementaita is situated 100 Km NNW of Nairobi and lies at altitude of 1670 metres ASL. It is fed by hot springs at its southern end and two small streams; the Mereroni Kariandusi and Mbaruk flowing from the Eastern plateau. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rocky faults, volcanic out crops and cones. To the east, the lake is flanked by small scale agriculture while Ututu and Soysambu wildlife conservancies surround the remainder.
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is 160 Km from Nairobi and is at an altitude of 1750 metres ASL. It is bordered by Nakuru Town on its eastern side while on the western side is the Nakuru National Park. The catchment area of the lake includes Menengai Crater and Bahati highlands to the north and north-east respectively while to the west is the Mau escarpment. The major source of water that feed surface flow to the lake are the Njoro, Makalia and Nderit Rivers while Baharini Springs close the shore of the lake also contribute to the surface flow.
Lake Bogoria
Lake Bogoria is 275 Km from Nairobi and lies at altitude of 1,000 metres ASL. It is bounded by the Siracho escarpment eastern side while the western side is characterized by a relatively flat shore with a series of hot springs and geysers. The lakes catchment area is the Subukia highlands with the main surface flow of water being the Waiseges River.
Why they became world heritage sites:
The three lakes are a network that constitutes the most significant natural habitat for in-situ conservation of threatened and endangered species. The habitat:
- Sustains 75% of the global population of the lesser flamingo making this one of the greatest ornithological spectacles on earth.
- Supports one of the major breeding colonies of the great white pelicans
- Provides a vital wintering ground for over 100 species of migratory birds and is part of the palaeartic African migratory flyway system.
- The three lakes share faulted geological landscape and hydro-geological connectivity and Lake Bogoria particularly has the highest concentration of true geysers in Africa.
- Rare mammals such as black rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, greater kudu, lion, cheetah and wild dogs inhabit the area.
- Thirteen globally threatened bird species are found on the 32,034 hectare site, which has some of the highest bird diversities in the world.
