THE SEDIMENTATION CHALLENGES ON THE LAKE BAM IN BURKINA FASO

Abstract

Lake Bam located in Burkina Faso to the north of the capital Ouagadougou, is the largest natural reservoir of water in the country. In recent years, Lake Bam has experienced a gradual reduction of its storage capacity. During the dry season, it loses well over 70% its wet season capacity. This keeps getting worse each year as it does not recover the full capacity of the previous season. Chief among the major causes of this reduction is the phenomenon of sediment deposition in the bed of the lake. In a quarter century Bam Lake has lost a third of its depth. This paper reviews the sedimentation issues on the Lake Bam using Professional publications, like journal articles, conference symposia, and recent documents related to sedimentation issues of the Lake Bam with the objective to propose solutions that will help restore or increase the storage capacity. Recent advances have aided in understanding and implementing improvement strategies within the basin. However, it was discovered that challenges like erosion, use of fertilizers and pesticides, and climate change effects are prevalent throughout the basin, creating negative environmental impacts for humans, wildlife, and especially aquatic life. Watershed management, catchment rehabilitation and conservation activities such as control of upland erosion, protection of marshes and wetlands as well as tackling climate change impacts are proposed as possible remediation strategies in reversing the rapid sedimentation of Lake Bam in Burkina Faso.