Update on the bathymetry of Lake Mweru (Zambia), with notes on water level fluctuations

Abstract

A new bathymetric map of Lake Mweru was developed, displaying previously unknown morphological features and correcting the shape of the shoreline as presented in older maps. Water depth was measured during 11 transect cruises in early 1994. Two depressions were found in the north-eastern section of the lake, with maximum depths of 20m and 27m, respectively. The average depth of the lake was calculated to be 7.5m. The surface area (5 120km²) and volume (38.2 X 10⁹m³) were found to be much greater than reported in previous studies. The long-term intra-annual fluctuation of the lake level was 1.7m, with seasonal highs in May and lows in January.

Keywords: African Great Lakes, Congo, lake volume, Luapula, rainfall data, surface area

African Journal of Aquatic Science 2006, 31(1): 145–150