12/04/2024
Some facts about Lake Turkana
1. The Lake’s water is shared by Kenya 🇰🇪 and Ethiopia 🇪🇹, with Kenya having the highest share, and Ethiopia having a small portion
2. The lake is the largest permanent desert lake in the world
3. It is the world's largest alkaline lake, and has an estimated pH of 9.3 to 9.4
4. The lake’s surface area is estimated as 6,405 sq.km; and is the 2nd largest in Kenya by surface area, 4th in Africa and 22nd globally
5. With an estimated water volume of 204 cubic kilometres, Lake Turkana is the 5th largest in Africa by Volume
6. The Lake has a maximum depth of 109 meters, and is the deepest lake in Kenya (by maximum depth). The lake's average depth is 30 meters.
7. Its maximum length is estimated as 290 KMs, and its maximum width is 32 KMs
8. Lake Turkana is known for its striking turquoise color, leading to its nickname, the "Jade Sea." The Lake was also known as Lake Rudolf during the Colonialism era
9. Together with Lake Baringo, it’s thought that Lake Turkana once formed a larger body of water drained by the Sobat River into the Nile River. The water body had extended up to the Chalbi Desert
10. In addition to giant Nile perch and a vast array of endemic fishes, Lake Turkana is home to a vulnerable species of turtle, the Turkana mud turtle. The Turkana mud turtle was only discovered in the 1980s
11. Between April and May, there is a particularly large concentration of the reptiles since this is their mating season. During this time, the lake is recorded to hold the largest concentration of Nile Crocodiles in the World (especially the Central Island)
12. The lake is classified as Monomictic, meaning that its water mixes from top to bottom during one mixing period each year
13. The lake is also classified as endorhoic since its drained basin doesn't allow for outflow to other external bodies
If you haven’t visited Lake Turkana, add this to your bucket list! It’s Super Amazing
Karibu Turkana, Tembea Turkana
