Lake Nokoué

Lake Nokoué

Lake Nokoué is a lake in the south of Benin. The lake has a width of 20 km, a length of 11 km and an area of 4,900 hectares, and is fed in part by the Ouémé River and the Sô River. Cotonou lies on the southern border of the lake. Part of Cotonou's population has been displaced by the flooding of the lake and its shore. The town of Ganvié is located on the northern edge of the lake. The lake provides an important source of food and economic activity for these towns and cities because of its diverse wildlife. The fishing is typically best when the water is low, between November and June. Most of the lake is lagoon. Due to the surrounding low-lying topography, the lake is predicted to double in size and to rise gradually in sea level as a result of current global climate change. This trend carries the threat of salinization in the future, making the freshwater lake saline and potentially altering its ecology. The various sections of the lake currently alternate between freshwater and brackish ecosystems, averaging 1.5 m in depth. There are at least 78 species of fish in Lake Nokoué, which are used as food by many species of birds, as well as otters.