Partner Living Lakes
OSIENALA (Friends of Lake Victoria)
Partner Lake since
2002
Origin
most likely tectonic
Age
25,000 - 35,000 years
Size
68,800 sq. km [km²]
Length, width
412 km (north / south), 355 km (west / east)
Water volume
2,750 billion cubic m [m³]
Maximum depth
84 m
Average depth
40 m
Sea level
1,134 m
Catchment area
184,000 sq. km [km²]
In-flows
11 major in-flows
Largest in-flow
Kagera River
Out-flows
1 (Nile)
Islands
numerous
Salinity
fresh water
Precipitation
85 % of water entering the lake
Evaporation
85 % of water leaving the lake
Mean water temperature
23.5 - 29.0 °C
Mean air temperature
21.9 - 24.3 °C
Completely frozen over
never
Location
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
Vegetation
62 % woody and herbaceous vegetation,
32 % agricultural land
Fish
50 species (29 endemic),
500 species of cichlids (200 species and 4 genera endemic)
Inhabitants in the lake area
30 million people
Biggest problem
introduction of Water Hyacinth, eutrophication, industrial exploitation (fisheries)