The water balance of Lake Victoria

Abstract

ABSTRACT The sharp rise in the level of Lake Victoria between 1961 and 1964 has been found difficult to explain in terms of the components of the water balance. After reviewing lake inflows and the method of calculating lake rainfall from lakeside gauges, the historic lake water balance has been reproduced. The rise in lake level can be explained through rainfall and resulting tributary inflows, which would allow projections of possible future levels to be made by analysis of rainfall series.