This lake is among the lakes found on the floors of Great Rift Valley. It is the world’s largest permanent desert Lake ( lake neighbouring Chalbi desert) and the world’s largest alkaline lake. It is also the word’s fourth-largest Salt Lake by volume.
The cradle of human beings
Some of the fossils of the earliest man were found around Lake Turkana by Mary Leakey. The oldest fossil believed to be over 4 million years old. Thousands of fossils have been collected over time with the earliest evidence of human warfare also registered to have been around the lake.
Lake Turkana has the largest Nile crocodile concentration in the world
Lake Turkana is considered the largest concentration of Nile crocodiles in the world with the highest Nile crocodiles breeding ground. Crocodiles breed on the shores of the Island’s crater lakes between April and May. It has a large population of water turtles too.
The lake has three separate National parks, Central Island park, Sibiloi Park and Southern Island National Park all managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The Central Island also holds an active volcano. This volcano emits volcanic ash, vapour and sometimes sulphur in the air. It has not erupted in recent past.
No outflows
Lake Turkana is fed by three rivers, River Omo, River Turkwel, and River Kerio.There is no outlet and this explains why there is high level of alkaline.
Known as Jada Sea
Sometimes Lake Turkana is known as Jada Sea. During calm conditions, green algae comes to the surface of the lake giving it a green appearance from a distance.
Lake Turkana mark boundaries among the local communities
The Borana, Oromo and Rendille use the lake to mark their territories. Inter community disputes are common amongst different communities in Kenya, however communities around Lake use the lake as peaceful agreements whenever there’s misunderstandings on trespassing.
Other biodiversity
Apart from Nile crocodiles and several species of fishes, the lake boast diverse biodiversity. This lake is actually surrounded by small bushes although the area is desert.
Nile Crocodiles, great water turtles, the greater flamingos, zebras, giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, scorpions, snakes and over 50 species of fish.
The Lake Turkana Wind Power project in northern Kenya is the largest wind power plant in Africa.
The existence of this lake is being threatened by the construction of a dam along the Omo River by the government of Ethiopia.
Additional information
The wind power plant that was built around the Lake Turkana generates about 310 megawatts of power to the national grid. It was launched in July 2019, at a total cost of around $700 million.
