Suguta River

Suguta River
Map
Location
CountryKenya
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • coordinates
1°58′20″N 36°30′35″E / 1.972343°N 36.509628°E / 1.972343; 36.509628

The Suguta River is a seasonal river in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya (Africa), directly south of Lake Turkana. It flows northward through the Suguta Valley in the rainy season, forming the temporary Lake Alablad, a dry lake that combines with Lake Logipi at the northern end of the valley.[1]

The Suguta River originates in a stream of near-boiling water that emerges from the side of Mount Silali, an extinct volcano.[2] Some geologists speculate that the Kapedo hot spring, which drops through a set of waterfalls to the Suguta River, is the outlet from Lake Baringo 60 kilometres (37 mi) to the south.[3] At one point the Suguta River passes between two volcanoes and is fed from both sides by hot springs.[4]

In places the banks of the Suguta River are lined with palms.[5] The river and its tributaries are home to a cichlid, the Suguta tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus sugutae). Although the river dries up after the rainy season, the fish survive in pools.[6] The river is also home to numerous crocodiles.[3] Large flocks of flamingos inhabit the edge of the river.[7]

  1. ^ Mathea, Chege David (November 1, 2009). "OUR LAKES, OUR FUTURE" (PDF). International Lake Environment Committee Foundation. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2012. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
  2. ^ "About the Baringo Region". North Rift Tourism. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Frommers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Logipi Geyser". WonderMondo. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  5. ^ "SAND DUNES OF THE SUGUTA VALLEY". Lady Lori. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  6. ^ Daniel O. Okeyo. "TAXONOMY, COMMON NAMES AND DISTRIBUTION OF FISH IN THE EASTERN ARM OF THE RIFT VALLEY DRAINAGE, KENYA" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-04-09.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Suguta Valley Crossing". Big Earth. Retrieved 2012-04-09.