Lake Cyohoha
Lake Cyohoha
Lake Cyhoha, or Lake Cyohoha South, is a narrow, calm body of water which crosses the border between Rwanda and Burundi. It is a natural miracle and a fantastic tale of sustainable environmental management due to its special geography and biological variety, and the unparalleled restoration process.
Geography & Hydrology
Location & Size
The lake measures approximately 32 km long, averaging 1 km wide, but with a maximum width of approximately 2 km, occupying a total area of 74 km 2, or 19 km² in Rwanda and 55 km² in Burundi.
Altitude & Depth
A relatively shallow lake, Lake Cyohoha lies at a depth of about 1,348 meters above sea level on average, with a maximum depth of 7-11 meters, depending on the source.
Hydrology & Catchment
The Rugamura Marsh supplies water to the lake, which is supplied by rivers like the Gatunguru, Runyoni and Nduruma. Water eventually flows into the Akanyaru River by way of integrated marshlands.
Ecology & Wildlife
Biodiversity Hotspot
Over 54 species of birds are supported in the surrounding marshes, including rarities like the Malagasy pond heron, papyrus gonolek, pallid harriers, greater snipes, and lesser kestrels. There is also the elusive sitatunga, which is an aquatic antelope found in these wetlands.
Protected Area
Lake Cyhoha is included in the Protected Aquatic Landscape of the North, a wetland of the Ramsar Convention on the Burundian side, which comprises a number of lakes and reserves, and encompasses approximately 4,500 hectares of Lake Cyhoha alone.
Fisheries Local Livelihoods
Fishing Potential & Yield
The estimated annual potential fish production of the lake is of the order of 200 tonnes, although historically production was only about 90 tonnes (tilapia and catfish) when combined (mid-1980s).
Trends
Fishing started in the 1950s after the introduction of the Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). Haplochromis, Synodontis and Clarias have made up the majority of catches over the years.
Recent Recoveries
The restoration efforts reportedly resulted in a 3.45x increase in the monthly fish yield of 900 kg to 3,450kg, improving livelihoods and allowing fishing cooperatives to reinvest in their communities.
Restoration and Degradation of the Environment.
Degradation Drivers
Deforestation, over-cultivation, soil erosion, wetlands conversion, and the clearing of shrub lands to obtain firewood have decimated the region and negatively affected the quality and quantity of water.
Government Interventions
Efforts made in the early 2000s have involved rehydration of marshlands, removing destructive weeds such as water hyacinth, afforestation and employing locals to do the restoration work. To illustrate, more than 140 hectares of hyacinth were cleared.
The WACDEP Initiative
The Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) of the Global Water Partnership has, since 2011, helped to promote integrated management in the 508 km2 catchment in the Bugesera region.
Key Actions
Planting of 30 hectares of 36,000 drought-tolerant trees.
Installation of 8 community water points and 2.5 km of supply lines that will serve approximately 3000 residents.
Implementation of 1,000 fuel-efficient stoves, 11 biogas digesters and rainwater harvesting tanks.
The local stakeholders and media awareness and training on climate and management of resources.
Outcomes
These interventions have:
Greater water and energy security.
Less pressure on natural forests and wetlands.
Empowered higher enrollment in school and improved life quality.
Greater community ownership and custodianship of the environment in the transboundary area.
IWRM Action Hub
Global Water Partnership
Agriculture, Irrigation & Farmers Ploughing.
Dryness & Revival
In the period around 1999-2000, the lake dried up completely, destroying agriculture. Water restoration was also assisted by wetlands protection and native buffer zone restoration efforts.
Irrigated Farming
Farmers are now adopting solar-powered irrigation systems to tap into renewed water levels to support the year-round production of crops to boost food security and income.
Tourism & Eco-attractions
Cyohoha Camping Site
The location is located on the Rwandan beach in the Ngeruka sector of Bugesera; it has tented lodges, exterior showers, solar lighting, campfires, and a barbecue setup all set in a tranquil natural environment.
Activities
Watching birds in biodiverse marshes.
Fishing, hiking and picnicking.
Close to Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park, Cyohoha is a serene hub to carry out a wildlife adventure.
Summary & Outlook
Lake Cyohoha is a bright example of how degraded ecology can be rejuvenated through restoration, careful policy, and community involvement. Near-dry marshes and reduced fisheries to wetland biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods- the change in the lake is wondrous.
Key takeaways:
Theme Insights
Transboundary Ecosystem This is shared between Rwanda and Burundi and connects through marshes to the Akanyaru River.
Biodiversity Rare birds and sitatunga are found here, under Ramsar-designated landscape protection.
Economic Value: Fishing, agriculture, eco-tourism and community infrastructure enhanced.
Sustainability Planting forests, water sources, biogas and conservation programmes increased the resilience.
Community Involvement Critical at all stages – restoration work to resource management and tourism.
Lake Cyohoha is a shining example of how effective cross-border, cross-sector, cross-community collaborations can help revitalise and preserve critical ecosystems and improve the lives of the people living nearby.
Conclusion
Lake Cyohoha is more than a lake on the Rwanda-Burundi international borderline; it is a living example of ecological resilience, community action and cooperation, and international cooperation. It was practically ready for the ecological trash heap due to deforestation, poor agricultural practice, and wetland destruction, but with an explicit action plan, climate-resilient development initiatives, and engagement by local people, it has begun to revive.
Lake Cyohoha maintains productive fisheries, wetland biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and eco-tourism. Its recovery pays tribute to our focus on integrated water resource management, and the very hopeful affirmation of investment in nature-based solutions for climate adaptation as Rwanda and Burundi collaboratively shared and protected this irreplaceable ecosystem. For the area residents dependent upon the ecosystem, Lake Cyohoha is a success story; and for other geographies of interest seeking to identify pathways towards ecological and economic sustainability, it may also be an ideal.
