Lake Turkana is as well-known as The Jade Sea and it is famously known for its green blue colors and the legendary strong winds of the desert. In 1888 the lake was called Lake Rudolph and in 1975 the lake was renamed to be called Lake Turkana. The lake is called the Jade Sea due its green blue colors and it is the world’s largest alkaline lake.
The lake is about 300 kilometers long and it about 50 kilometers wide. It is not the largest alkaline lake in the world but it is the largest lake in Kenya and largest permanent desert lake. The lake has fresh safe water for drinking although it has no pleasant taste.
There are about three known rivers which supply this lake but there is no visible or known outlet or out flow instead all the water loss from the lake is as result of evaporation.
Lake Turkana national parks
There are three Lakes Turkana national parks which include the south island, the central island national park and Sibilo National park. These cover a total surface area of about 7 million hectares and they were declared UNESCO world heritage sites.
The regions that surround the lake are arid and apparently the spaces inhabitants are empty landscapes are lacking life. There are many volcanic overflows with terrified forests. These island national parks are known as breeding grounds and habitats for the nile crocodiles, snakes and hippos.
Initially this lake was large than the current size of today and plays a big role in supporting the various Flora and Fauna. The place is home to about 400 bird species thus it is one of the birders haven where you can enjoy bird watching experience. it is a great spot to enjoy sports fishing where you will get a chance to catch various fish species such as the Nile perch which weighs about 200 to 300 kilograms plus other fish species.
Lake Turkana Archaeology
Plenty of petrified remains have been spotted in these regions of Lake Turkana. For example Sibiloi national park is a famous place for “the Cradle of Mankind” and it is a recognized home to the Archeological sites including the Koobi Fora where the petrified remains have led more scientific study and understanding of human evolution and its best places where these studies are done in the world.
The Jade Sea Climate
The regions of Lake Turkana are one of the hottest places in Kenya due to being on an altitude of about 300 meters above sea level. The region experiences uncommon temperatures of about 50 degrees Celsius. Both on the off shores and on shores of the lake, there are very strong winds and the lake will warm and cool at a slow pace than the land. The region experiences frequent violent storms.
Lake Turkana Wind Power Project
The lake has legendary desert strong winds which make sailing on Lake Turkana very dangerous. Due to the persistent in these notorious strong winds, it has given birth to one single unit largest investment in the history of Kenya and this is known as Lake Turkana Wind Power Project.
This has played a big role in building a wind farm which covers an area of about 40,000 acres which is equivalents to 162 kilometers and this is located in Loiyangalani District in Marsabit County. The main purpose of this farm is supply the lowest cost wind power to the national grid. The project was completed in 2018 and it comprises of about 365 wind turbines. The farm project has helped to bridge the gap of unemployment in Kenya and it has helped to improve on the infrastructures in the northern region of Kenya.
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