The ancient Lake Chad Basin formed during the Cretaceous period, and extends over 2.5 million km2. The lake has undergone massive fluctuations in size, extending to the Tibesti Mountains in northwest Chad at one point during the Pleistocene (Monod 1963; Hughes and Hughes 1992).
Where does Lake Chad get its water?
Lake Chad is mainly in the far west of Chad, bordering on northeastern Nigeria. The Chari River, fed by its tributary the Logone, provides over 90% of the lake’s water, with a small amount coming from the Yobe River in Nigeria/Niger. Despite high levels of evaporation, the lake is fresh water.
What is wrong with Lake Chad?
But the Lake Chad “Basin” that covers almost 8% of the continent, spreads over seven countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Niger and Nigeria. The water body has diminished by 90% since the 1960s due to overuse and climate change effects.
Is Lake Chad freshwater or saltwater?
Lake Chad, French Lac Tchad, freshwater lake located in the Sahelian zone of west-central Africa at the conjunction of Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.
Why is Lake Chad important?
According to FAO Director of Land and Water Parviz Koohafkan, the Lake Chad basin is one of the most important agricultural heritage sites in the world, providing a lifeline to nearly 30 million people in four countries — Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. … Parts of the lake also extend to Niger and Cameroon.
Why did Mega Lake Chad dry up?
The drying of Lake Mega-Chad reveals a story of dramatic climate change in the southern Sahara, with a rapid change from a giant lake to desert dunes and dust, due to changes in rainfall from the West African Monsoon.
What is causing Lake Chad to shrink?
Once one of Africa’s largest lakes, Lake Chad has shrunk by around 90% since the 1960s. This receding water is down to a reduction of precipitation, induced by climate change, as well as development of modern irrigation systems for agriculture and the increasing human demand for freshwater.
Is Lake Chad drying up?
Our results indicate that in tandem with groundwater and tropical origin of water supply, over the last two decades, Lake Chad is not shrinking and recovers seasonally its surface water extent and volume.
Who needs Lake Chad?
For years, the lake has been supporting drinking water, irrigation, fishing, livestock and economic activity for over 30 million people in the region. It is vital for indigenous, pastoral and farming communities in one of the world’s poorest countries.
What are people doing to save Lake Chad?
But there have been spirited efforts to rescue the lake from oblivion. The governments in the Lake Chad region are exploring reviving a plan that was first explored in 1982 by an Italian engineering company to construct a 2,400 canal that will tap water from the tributaries of Congo River and drain it into the Lake.
What is the biggest lake in Nigeria?
Oguta Lake is a lean ‘finger lake’ formed by the damming of the lower Njaba River with alluvium. It is the largest natural lake in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria; within the equatorial rainforest region of Niger Delta.
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| Oguta Lake | |
|---|---|
| Max. depth | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Ramsar Wetland | |
| Designated | 30 April 2008 |
| Reference no. | 1757 |
What is the currency of Chad?
Central African CFA franc
How many rivers are in Chad?
7 RIVERS AND WATERFALLS
At 1,200 kilometers (720 miles) long, it is also the longest river of interior drainage in Africa.
What animals live in Lake Chad?
Lake Chad has 179 species of fish which feed on vegetation, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Some of the species reported are catfish (Clarias gariepensis), tilapia, cichlids, characin (Alestes baremoze) and Nile perch (Lates niloticus). Lungfish and sailfin are the two other unique species in the lake.
What is an interesting fact about Chad?
World’s 21st largest country by land area
Chad, by land area, is the world’s 21st largest country. With a 0.845% landmass of the total landmass of the world and a land area of 1,259,200 square kilometers, Chad is smaller than Peru and larger than South Africa. It is the fifth-largest country in Africa.