Loading

Environmental Sciences and Ecology: Current Research
[ ISSN : 2833-0811 ]


Assessment of Rising Water Levels of Rift Valley Lakes in Kenya: The Role of Meteorological Factors

Research Article
Volume 2 - Issue 6 | Article DOI : 10.54026/ESECR/1035


Richard Muita*, David Gikungu, Stella Aura, Andrew Njogu, Roger Ndichu and Patricia Nyinguro, Chris Kiptum

Published : November 11, 2021

Abstract

The impacts of increased water levels in Kenyan lakes are a major problem that is affecting communities and their livelihoods. Upsurge in water levels of the Rift Valley Lakes is one of the recent climate extremes witnessed over Eastern Africa where the rises appear to be consistent with the occurrence of enhanced seasonal rains between 2016 and 2020. Considering that many explanations have been provided as possible causes, there is still little empirical evidences. This study aimed at assessing the link between meteorological factors and the rises in lake levels in order to see if these can explain the causes. Further using surface observations potential to predict the water levels was examined. Datasets on rainfall, temperature and water levels from four Lakes in Kenya were used to establish the changes in these variables using statistical methods. Generalized Linear Models were used to predict the water levels in the study lakes. Results indicate that rainfall and temperature as well as other climate drivers has been changing over the last recent years with increased precipitation being consistent with the observed high stands in the Rift Valley lakes. Specifically, the results of the forecasted levels indicate substantial and slight increase for lake levels in Naivasha while the Lake Baringo levels are predicted to rise sharply within the study data periods.