Lake Basaka

Growing lake, saline

The Basaka Lake ( Besek'a hayk ) is a lake in central Ethiopia in the north of the Oromia Region. It lies mostly in the Awash National Park. He currently has an area of ​​about 42 km ². Its salt content is so high that its water for irrigation of most plants is inappropriate.

Chemistry

The lake has an alkaline character (pH 9.6) and a high salt content (3.6 g Na / l; conductivity 10700 ĩS / cm).

Development

The lake is subject to a strong increase. In the period from 1957 to 2008 its area of ​​3.0 km ² has grown to 42.6 km ². Based on this development, he will spend the next 25 years in the north to the river Awash crowded and thereby threaten parts of the city Metehara. The propagation of the salt water will have consequences for the groundwater and local agriculture.