Hydroclimatic analysis of rising water levels in the Great rift Valley Lakes of Kenya

Recent water level rises in Kenya's Great Rift Valley lakes—ranging from 21% to 123% since 1984–2009—can be attributed primarily to increased rainfall rather than anthropogenic or geological changes. A hydrometeorological analysis of Lakes Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru, Solai, Elementaita, and Naivasha revealed that a minor increase (0.4–2%) in mean annual effective rainfall explains the observed phenomena, despite concurrent rises in evapotranspiration. The study's 'Integrated Catchment Response' framework demonstrates that changes in catchment properties or underground permeability are unnecessary to account for these trends.

Herrnegger, M., Stecher, G., Schwatke, C., & Olang, L. (2021). Hydroclimatic analysis of rising water levels in the Great rift Valley Lakes of Kenya. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 36, 100857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2021.100857