Lake Victoria water levels rise, say researchers
May 25, 2006
THE Lake Victoria water levels have risen but not recovered from a slump that has thrown Uganda into the worst energy crisis in post-colonial era, as the available water cannot sustain needed hydroelectric power generation.
By Gerald Tenywa
THE Lake Victoria water levels have risen but not recovered from a slump that has thrown Uganda into the worst energy crisis in post-colonial era, as the available water cannot sustain needed hydroelectric power generation.
Fred Kyosingira, a water expert in the environment ministry, yesterday said the water level had increased by 24 centimetres by the end of last month.
“It will continue increasing, but it is not expected to recover during this rainy season,†said Kyosingira, adding that an immediate recovery would require persistent heavy rains like El-Nino.
Sources said further increase of about 80 centimetres was needed to reach the average water level estimated at 1,134.5 metres.
In December, the level was estimated at 1133.5 metres, representing a drop of 2.2 metres, which was a metre below the average.
The water level dropped further by 10 centimetres in February, sources said.
A report titled “Brief on the current status of Lake Victoria,’’ said, “The continued drop in the water level over the last two years shows that water resources of Lake Victoria are stressed, thus severely impacting on the socio-economic development.’’
The lake level fluctuated around an average of 1,134 meters above the mean sea level from 1900 to 1960, according to the report.
It was not affected by the construction of Nalubale (Owen Falls) dam between 1949 and 1954.
It did not have an impact on lake levels as the adopted practices ensured that releases corresponded to the natural flow by all times releasing the volume of water that used to flow at a given water level.
At present the lake level still remains within its normal pre-1961 regime,’’ said the report.
Sources said the March-May rainy season contributes 39% of the annual rains in the lake region.
The current rainy season, which ends this month, has been described as average for the lake area, according to weather forecast reports.
“You can’t have recovery if the rainfall is average. It will only contribute to a seasonal rise.
“There has to be a long-term increase above average,’’ sources in the environment ministry said.
They called for regulation of the water that is discharged in the process of power generation, to protect the lake.
THE Lake Victoria water levels have risen but not recovered from a slump that has thrown Uganda into the worst energy crisis in post-colonial era, as the available water cannot sustain needed hydroelectric power generation.
Fred Kyosingira, a water expert in the environment ministry, yesterday said the water level had increased by 24 centimetres by the end of last month.
“It will continue increasing, but it is not expected to recover during this rainy season,†said Kyosingira, adding that an immediate recovery would require persistent heavy rains like El-Nino.
Sources said further increase of about 80 centimetres was needed to reach the average water level estimated at 1,134.5 metres.
In December, the level was estimated at 1133.5 metres, representing a drop of 2.2 metres, which was a metre below the average.
The water level dropped further by 10 centimetres in February, sources said.
A report titled “Brief on the current status of Lake Victoria,’’ said, “The continued drop in the water level over the last two years shows that water resources of Lake Victoria are stressed, thus severely impacting on the socio-economic development.’’
The lake level fluctuated around an average of 1,134 meters above the mean sea level from 1900 to 1960, according to the report.
It was not affected by the construction of Nalubale (Owen Falls) dam between 1949 and 1954.
It did not have an impact on lake levels as the adopted practices ensured that releases corresponded to the natural flow by all times releasing the volume of water that used to flow at a given water level.
At present the lake level still remains within its normal pre-1961 regime,’’ said the report.
Sources said the March-May rainy season contributes 39% of the annual rains in the lake region.
The current rainy season, which ends this month, has been described as average for the lake area, according to weather forecast reports.
“You can’t have recovery if the rainfall is average. It will only contribute to a seasonal rise.
“There has to be a long-term increase above average,’’ sources in the environment ministry said.
They called for regulation of the water that is discharged in the process of power generation, to protect the lake.