Mailu, A.M., G.R.S. Among the freshwater lakes of the world, it is exceeded in size only by Lake Superior in North America. They . The Dam is essential for hydroelectric power generation, which allows local settlements to thrive sustainably. There are 17 species of bivalves (Corbicula, Coelatura, Sphaerium, and Byssanodonta), including 6 endemic species/subspecies. [44] Others have become extinct in their pure form, but survive as hybrids between close relatives (especially among the detritivores). [93][95][96][97] A green power plant that uses harvested water hyacinth (but also can use other degradable waste) was constructed in Kisumu County in 2013. Not only does Lake Victoria contain 5 large nations in its drainage basin, but it provides so much for the people who rely on its resources for survival. London: Crown Agents for the Colonies. What are the principles architectural types of Islam? Henry Morton Stanley later confirmed their discovery, putting it on the map. The increasing amounts of algae, in turn, increase the amount of detritus (dead plant material) that falls to the deeper portions of the lake before decomposing. Lake Victoria has more than 200 species of fish, of which the Tilapia is the most economically important. Jger, J., Bohunovsky, L., Radosh, L., & Sustainability Project. Where do they have concerts in Pittsburgh? By continuing to use our site you consent to this. After Lake Superior and Lake Huron, Lake Michigan is the second-largest Great Lake by volume 1,180 cu mi (4,900 cu km) and third-largest by surface area (22,404 sq mi (58,030 sq km). Among the freshwater lakes of the world, it is exceeded in size only by Lake Superior in North America. Copyright 2022 Ocean Info | All Right Reserved. ". Plans for gradually raising the level of the lakes waters were completed in 1954 with the construction of the Owen Falls Dam (now the Nalubaale Dam) on the Victoria Nile at Jinja, Uganda. [93] More recently, measures have been used such as the introduction of natural insect predators, including two different water hyacinth weevils and large harvesting and chopping boats, which seem to be much more effective in eliminating the water hyacinth. What fish live in Lake Victoria? There have been conservation efforts to directly protect various species as well as their habitats. However, since 1997, the fishing activity has greatly reduced. It also contains reptiles such as the Nile crocodile and the African helmeted turtle, and many crustaceans, including 4 different species of freshwater crab. Molluscs. [14][64] By itself, this vegetative matter decays slowly. Its greatest length from north to south is 210 miles (337 km), its greatest breadth 150 miles (240 km). [84] As the species was already present, there were few objections when more Nile perch were transferred to Victoria to further bolster the stock in 196263. On the expedition, John initially found 'Ukerewe' as the Arabs called it. Public awareness exercises were also conducted. However, with a thriving population of Nile Crocodiles, Hippopotamus, and the potential of catching Bilharzia, it is at your own risk. One of the Mud Turtle species, which is Williams Mud Turtle, can be said as one of the unique reptile in this lake, because it only live in Lake Victoria and the river and lake that connected to this lake. The Lake Victoria Deepwater Catfish is thought to have been brought to near-extinction by the Nile Perch. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. [44], Lake Victoria is home to 28 species of freshwater snails (e.g., Bellamya, Biomphalaria, Bulinus, Cleopatra, Gabbiella, and Melanoides), including 12 endemic species/subspecies. As of 2016, an environmental data repository exists for Lake Victoria. [84] In the following decades, the pressure to introduce the Nile perch continued, as did warnings about the possible effects of doing it. The plant can hinder hydroelectric power production due to blocking the flow of water. [14] Average evaporation on the lake is between 2.0 and 2.2 metres (6.6 and 7.2ft) per year, almost double the precipitation of riparian areas. variabilis).[61][62]. [88][89] This invasive weed creates anoxic (total depletion of oxygen levels) conditions in the lake inhibiting decomposing plant material, raising toxicity and disease levels to both fish and people. Added attractions are Rubondo Island National Park and other natural island parks and sanctuaries. Causes, Effects, Facts, and Solutions, What is Tidal Power? Many mammal species live in the region of Lake Victoria, and some of these are closely associated with the lake itself and the nearby wetlands. For a comprehensiwe list of these islands, see: J. Prado, R.J. Beare, J. Siwo Mbuga & L.E. [32], Many mammal species live in the region of Lake Victoria, and some of these are closely associated with the lake itself and the nearby wetlands. It is only second to Lake Superior as the largest freshwater lake on Earth. The water is then ready to be chlorinated or treated in another way. The subsequent decrease in the number of algae-eating fish allows the algae to grow at an alarming rate, thereby choking the lake. Many mammal species live in the region of Lake Victoria, and some of these are closely associated with the lake itself and the nearby wetlands. Luilo, G.B. (1929.) It has an interesting history and the present fauna and flora will truly take your breath away! The lakes surface is 3,720 feet (1,134 metres) above sea level, and its greatest ascertained depth is 270 feet (82 metres). This species has eyes that are very sensitive to light. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. Ochiel, G.S., A.M. Mailu, W. Gitonga and S.W. The latter likely is the smallest African freshwater crab with a carapace width up to about 1.6cm (0.6in), although P. kantsyore of Kagera River, and Platythelphusa maculata and P. polita of Lake Tanganyika are almost as small. The River Nile originates from Jinja in Uganda on the northern shore of Lake Victoria. Spiders. Its area is 26,828 square miles (69,484 square km). Lake Victoria, also called Victoria Nyanza, largest lake in Africa and chief reservoir of the Nile, lying mainly in Tanzania and Uganda but bordering on Kenya. The food chain is being altered and in some cases, broken by the indiscriminate eating habits of the Nile perch. They used the inland routes for trading with African regions. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. [56][57][58][59][60], Before the mass extinction that has occurred among the lake's cichlids in the last 50 years, about 90 percent of the native fish species in the lake were haplochromines. The lake has 200 species of fish, making it one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries. And you would not want to get stuck under one; at up to 2,750kg they can crush a human to death. Nile Crocodiles reside in the lake, in large populations, alongside many other reptiles. It formed when westward-flowing rivers were dammed by an upthrown crustal block. [101] Increased logging and act of deforestation has led to environmental degradation around the region reducing the absorption of polluting chemicals and deteriorating the water quality.[102]. By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. Fewer than ten years later, the Nile perch were more than eighty percent of the lake's biomass, while cichlids were a tiny portion of the remaining twenty percent. Bronze whaler sharks are also considered a medium threat in Victoria due to their size, but there is only one confirmed record in Australia of a bronze whaler attack causing death. [69][70] The last were first scientifically described in 2017 and very little is known about them: P. entebbe is only known from near Entebbe (the only known specimen was collected in 1955 and it is unknown if it was in or near the lake) and P. busungwe only at Busungwe Island in the northwestern part of the lake. Some of the most notable of these are Entebbe and Jinja (Uganda) on the northern shore, Mwanza, and Bukoba (Tanzania) to the south, and Kisumu and Kendu Bay (Kenya) to the east. If the Lake Victoria fish are biting, the guides at these lodges can help you find them. [44], A number of environmental issues are associated with Lake Victoria and the complete disappearance of many endemic cichlid species has been called the "most dramatic example of human-caused extinctions within an ecosystem". 256pp. More of these fishes also can be found on other great lakes in Africa. Great Slave Lake Great Slave Lake is located in Canada's Northwest Territories. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Nile River passes through Murchison Falls and enters Uganda and Sudan. Chapter 27, pp. Plans for gradually raising the level of the lakes waters were completed in 1954 with the construction of the Owen Falls Dam (now the Nalubaale Dam) on the Victoria Nile at Jinja, Uganda. River Nile drains into the Mediterranean Sea before flowing through Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. [26] These changes have arisen for multiple reasons: successive burning within its basin,[27] soot and ash from which has been deposited over the lake's wide area; from increased nutrient inflows via rivers,[28] and from increased pollution associated with settlement along its shores. [82] At the peak in the early 1990s, 500,000 tonnes (490,000 long tons; 550,000 short tons) of Nile perch were landed annually in Lake Victoria, but this has declined significantly in later years. The Lake Victoria region is one of the most densely populated in Africa; within 50 miles (80 km) of its shores live several million people, nearly all Bantu-speaking. The lake's surface is 3,720 ft (1,134 m) above sea level and has a surface area of 23,145 sq mi (59,945 sq km), receiving water from the Kagera River and smaller rivers. [40][44] The zooplanktivores have been least affected and in the late 1990s had reached densities similar to, or above, the densities before the drastic declines, although consisting of fewer species and often switching their diet towards macroinvertebrates. There are numerous Hippos in Lake Victoria - here in the vicinity of Kisumu town Hippos are part of everyday life along the shores of many African lakes and their occassional deep series of grunts makes you realize how massive they are and they give a feel of some ancient connection to a nature that reaches long before man. Among these are the hippopotamus , African clawless otter , spotted-necked otter, marsh mongoose , sitatunga , bohor reedbuck , defassa waterbuck, cane rats, and giant otter shrew. Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. With that many fish species and types, the fishing activity in this lake also become more active. Lake Victoria is unique because the lake [itself] is a large majority of its rain basin, Reynolds explains. These are Rwanda and Burundi. Press Esc to cancel. It is so big that it is one of the only two water bodies in East Africa where you can see the sunset beyond the water body. Every year across Africa, hippos kill an estimated 500 people, making them the worlds deadliest mammal, after humans, and nearly twice as deadly as lions. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. At the same time, the plant's mat or "web" creates a barrier for boats and ferries to maneuver, impedes access to the shoreline, interferes with hydroelectric power generation, and blocks the intake of water for industries. The lake in East-Central Africa lies along the equator. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Animal species including aquatic Sitatunga, Elephants, Mash mongoose, Genet, Giraffes, Hippos, Bushbucks, Pythons, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees (not fully habituated), Bush pigs and Suni. You can visit the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary from Entebbe and spend a few hours with this mammal species. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Victoria, African Great Lakes Information Platform - Lake Victoria, University of Texas, Dallas - Lake Victoria, UN-Water Activity Information System - Lake Victoria, Victoria, Lake - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Lake Victoria - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). 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