Lake Kamnarok

Lake Kamnarok is Kenyan lake found at the base of the Kerio Valley. The name originated from the word narok, which is a species of water plant widely found in the lake in the early stages of the lake formation.

The lake is 1 km² in size. It was in existence before 1961 but the flood rains of that year led to its enlargement. The flooding disaster saw people living in the area being evacuated in order to save lives. Helicopters were used during the evacuation exercise to airlift people to the higher ground of Maab Konga- a hill near Muchukwo trading centre.

Lake Kamnarock is also known to have the second largest population of crocodiles in Africa.

Image source: Twenzetu.com

The lake was gazetted in 1984, when Lake Kamnarok Game Reserve was created. It can be found at the base of the Kerio Valley and is the home to an average of 500 elephants.

Like other Great Rift Valley lakes, its existence is being threatened, mainly because of human activities in the area such as farming. There are deep gullies that are likely to lead to spilling of the water, thus joining it with the Kerio River.

Few measures that have been taken to save the lake include; building of gabions. The tributaries that feed Lake Kamnarok include the rivers Ketipborok, Cheplogoi, Oiwo and Lelabei. Unfortunately as of 2015 the lake dried up.

Ref: Wikipedia