A hydrological map of Kenya with colour-coded watershed areas.
In this thread, we'll highlight the source of each river, the watershed area and the direction of flow.
In this thread, we'll highlight the source of each river, the watershed area and the direction of flow.
The rivers of Kenya flow from three main sources: the escarpment and highlands east of rift valley (Aberdares), highlands west of the rift valley (Mau) and Mt. Kenya.
Mt. Elgon & Kilimanjaro on the border with our neighbors also act as sources of rivers that flow within Kenya.
Mt. Elgon & Kilimanjaro on the border with our neighbors also act as sources of rivers that flow within Kenya.
The rivers that rise from the western escarpment and western highlands flow west into major rift valley lakes. These include Nzoia, Yala, Kuja (Migori), Sondu and Mara that flow into Lake Victoria.
Turkwel (Mt. Elgon) and Kerio (Elgeyo escarpment) flow north to Lake Turkana.
Turkwel (Mt. Elgon) and Kerio (Elgeyo escarpment) flow north to Lake Turkana.
Rivers that rise from Eastern highlands and escarpments (Aberdares) flow by gravity towards Indian Ocean. These include the two major rivers of Kenya (Tana & Athi).
Ewaso Nyiro also flows from Aberdares and drains into Lorian swamp.
Ewaso Nyiro also flows from Aberdares and drains into Lorian swamp.
Travelling across Kenya, one crosses many small streams and rivers. These smaller rivers flow in a capillary system to join bigger river valleys. For instance, one can see numerous rivers in Nairobi which all join up to form Athi river.
Finally, this fantastic map was put together by @GwiliGibbon
