dc.description.abstract | Lake Naivasha has a tremendous importance to its environs as a source of freshwater. The lake
plays a key role in providing a habitat for a wide range of aquatic flora and fauna. The lake,
together with its associated aquifers, provides water utilized for irrigation, geothermal drilling
activities, watering of livestock, and domestic use among other uses. Over the past few decades,
the lake levels have drastically reduced due to increased water abstractions from the lake raising
concerns over the sustainability of the lake for the various activities it supports.
Over the past few decades, the lake levels have drastically reduced due to increased water
abstractions from the lake basin raising concerns over the sustainability of the lake for the
various activities it supports. Environmental science in Australia (1992) in an E.I.A. study in the
area estimated that about 59*10⁶m³/yr of water is drawn from the lake, with the estimated
outflow value (seepage to groundwater) being 34*10⁶m³/yr (McCann, 1974).
Lake Naivasha is considered an integral part of the groundwater flow system all the flow patterns
between the lake and the groundwater system are not well understood. A lateral underground
flow to the north and southwards is, however, certain with the waters providing recharge for
Lake Elementaita and Lake Magadi respectively. The need to understand the geological controls
responsible for this flow, both from the lake to the aquifers and also across the aquifers
themselves is vital so as to provide the basis for exploitation of this resource. | en |