Oguta Lake

Oguta Lake is a lean 'finger lake' formed by the damming of the lower Njaba River with alluvium.[2] it is the largest natural lake in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria;[3] within the equatorial rainforest region of Niger Delta.[3] [4] Oguta Lake's catchment area comprises the drainage area of the Njaba River and a part of the River Niger floodplain in the region south of Onitsha.[3][5]

Oguta Lake
Oguta Lake is located in Nigeria
Oguta Lake
Oguta Lake
LocationImo State
Coordinates5°42′24″N 6°47′33″E
Native name
Primary inflowsUtu, Awbana, Orashi and Njaba rivers
Basin countriesNigeria
Max. depth8 m (26 ft)
Designated30 April 2008
Reference no.1757[1]

Location

The lake is situated in Oguta about 50 kilometres (30 mi) from the junction of the Ndoni and Orashi River.[6] It is about eight kilometres (5 mi) long from east to west and 2.5 kilometres (1+1⁄2 mi)wide.[7] The lake is 5:41-5:44N, 6:41-6:50E; <50 m above sea level[8]

    The stream from Njaba River is the major inflow to Oguta Lake.[9] The other three tributaries are Awbana, Utu and Orashi.[10] The Orashi River flows past Oguta Lake in its southwestern portion.[9]

    Climate

    The wet season is warm while the dry season is hot, muggy, and partly cloudy in Oguta Lake. During the year, the temperature typically varies from 68°F to 88°F and is rarely below 60°F or above 91°F.[11]

    Based on beach/pool score, the best time of year to visit Oguta for hot-weather activities is from late November to late January.[12]

    Economic importance

    The lake is important to the people of oil-rich Njaba River basin including Oguta, Orsu, Mgbidi, Nkwesi, Osemotor, Nnebukwu, Mgbele, Awa Awo-Omamma Akabo as a source of water, fish, tourism and an outlet for sewerage.[13] Uhamiri is the goddess of the lake.[14]

    Trade route

    The river route Njaba and Orashi via Oguta Lake to the coast, passing through Awo-omamma, Mgbidi, Oguta, Ndoni, Abonnema, Degema made Oguta, Osemotor, Awo-omamma and surrounding towns. Oguta Lake also served as a Biafran army marine base during the Nigerian Civil War.[15]

    Pictures of Oguta Lake
    • Bank of Oguta Lake showing human activities and rural dwellers. These includes motorcyclists,loaded pontoon and automobile drivers engaged in movement of goods, services and people.
      Bank of Oguta Lake showing human activities and rural dwellers. These includes motorcyclists,loaded pontoon and automobile drivers engaged in movement of goods, services and people.
    • Bank of Oguta Lake showing human activities such as motorcycle washing and transportation of goods and people.
      Bank of Oguta Lake showing human activities such as motorcycle washing and transportation of goods and people.
    • Bank of Oguta Lake showing farmland and vegetation.
      Bank of Oguta Lake showing farmland and vegetation.
    • A view of the infrastructure (housing) at the opposite bank of Oguta
      A view of the infrastructure (housing) at the opposite bank of Oguta
    • Different means of water transportation such as canoes and speed boat displayed at the sloping point bar of Oguta Lake.
      Different means of water transportation such as canoes and speed boat displayed at the sloping point bar of Oguta Lake.
    • A loaded pontoon (goods, cars and people) at Oguta Lake
      A loaded pontoon (goods, cars and people) at Oguta Lake
    • Types of housing structures at Oguta Lake
      Types of housing structures at Oguta Lake
    • Swimming activity and buckets at Oguta Lake.
      Swimming activity and buckets at Oguta Lake.
    • Cassava fermentation process by rural women and canoes at Oguta Lake.
      Cassava fermentation process by rural women and canoes at Oguta Lake.

    Climate

    In Oguta, the dry season is hot, muggy, and partially cloudy whereas the wet season is warm, oppressive, and overcast. The average annual temperature ranges from 68°F to 88°F, rarely falling below 60°F or rising above 91°F.[16]

    Footnotes
    1. "Oguta Lake". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
    2. Floyd, Barry (1969). Eastern Nigeria. Springer. p. 89. ISBN 9781349006663. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
    3. OGUNKOYA, Prof. O.O. (2007). "Oguta Lake" (PDF). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands(RIS) (2006–2008): 4.
    4. "Five things to know about Oguta Lake, where two rivers meet without comi". RefinedNG. 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
    5. Duru, Victor (2022-06-01). "Oguta lake: 'Mysterious' lake in Imo state where two 'angry' rivers don't mix up". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
    6. "Lake Oguta | Oguta Lake | World Lake Database - ILEC". wldb.ilec.or.jp. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
    7. akande, segun (2022-03-04). "Oguta Lake: In a corner of Imo, two angry rivers flow without ever coming together". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
    8. "Lake Oguta | Oguta Lake | World Lake Database - ILEC". wldb.ilec.or.jp. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
    9. "Oguta Lake Imo State :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
    10. "Oguta Lake: In a corner of Imo, two angry rivers flow without ever coming together". Pulse Nigeria. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
    11. "Weather Oguta Lake, Nigeria today - current weather forecast Oguta Lake - Meteobox.com". meteobox.com. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
    12. "Oguta Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
    13. "Oguta Lake". www.ilec.or.jp. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
    14. Chuku, Gloria (2005). Igbo women and economic transformation in southeastern Nigeria, 1900-1960. Routledge. p. 26. ISBN 0-415-97210-8.
    15. "LakeNet -Lakes". www.worldlakes.org. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
    16. "Oguta Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 2023-09-15.


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