THE WEALTH OF LAKE TANA

Tariku Hailu Belay*

ABSTRACT

Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile River, is geographically located in the north-western part of Ethiopia, between latitude 10°58`–12°47`N and longitude 36°45`-38°14`E. It has a surface area of 3,200 sq km, a mean depth of 8 meters and maximum depth of 14 meters with fluctuations due to increasing siltation levels. It is the largest freshwater body in the country, contributing about 50% of the water resource of the nation. The lake lies at higher altitude in the range of 1,840 meter above sea level compared to Lake Victoria at 1,134 meters above sea level and is considered the highest lake in Africa. Due its altitude it is characterized by cold waters with mean temperature of 21.7°C. The Lake Tana watershed consists of 347 Kebeles (the lowest administrative units) and 21 Woredas (districts) in four administrative zones. The lake catchment covers an area of 16,500 sq km. Altitude variations in the Lake Tana watershed range from > 3000 m (Guna Mountains) to 1800 m (bordering floodplains). This altitudinal variation coupled with high habitat heterogeneity possibly has made the region rich in biodiversity and endemism. From more than five million lakes on the planet, Lake Tana has emerged as one of the global top 250 lake regions most important for biological diversity conservation in the LakeNet framework. Lake Tana is a multi-use water body where many millions of people in the region depend on its ecological and socio-economical values. In addition to its use for agricultural activities for the local inhabitants, the lake is used for transportation. In particular, Lake Tana has 37 islands that are scattered about the surface of the lake and this islands shelter fascinating churches and monasteries, some of which have histories dating back to the 13th and 14th Century. With varieties of attractions in the nearby Lake Tana and Blue Nile River, make the Lake Tana region, particularly Bahir Dar City, as one of the leading tourist destinations in Ethiopia.

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