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How many lakes are on Mount Kenya?

Mount Kenya is a highly significant mountain ecosystem in Africa with glaciers, alpine scenery, and numerous high-altitude lakes. A common question among hikers, researchers, and nature enthusiasts is how many lakes Mount Kenya has.

Most scientific and trekking sources estimate that Mount Kenya has over 20 lakes and tarns, including both permanent alpine lakes and smaller seasonal glacial pools, the majority of which were created by ancient glacial processes.

Overview of Lakes on Mount Kenya

Most of Mount Kenya’s alpine lakes are located at or above approximately 3,000 meters, particularly within former glacial valleys. They were formed during the last Ice Age, when glaciers carved depressions that later filled with meltwater and rain. There are those lakes that are permanent all year round and those that are seasonal, and they reduce or vanish in the dry season.

Because water levels vary with climatic conditions and classification methods, the exact number may differ slightly between sources. Mount Kenya is, however, known to harbor more than 20 lakes and tarns.

Major and Well-Known Lakes on Mount Kenya

The most well-known and most frequented lakes are:

 

  • Lake Michaelson – one of the largest and most scenic lakes, in the Gorges Valley, on the eastern side of the mountain.
  • Lake Ellis, located on the Sirimon route, is popular with hikers and campers.
  • Lake Höhnel is located in Teleki Valley and is considered one of the most dramatic lakes on Mount Kenya.
  • Lake Alice - This is a magnificent alpine lake on the eastern side, which is deep blue in colour.
  • Lake Rutundu is a lower-altitude lake on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, known for its scenic setting and the historic Rutundu Fishing Lodge

These lakes are generally considered permanent, although their water levels may fluctuate seasonally.

Smaller Tarns and Seasonal Lakes

In addition to the larger lakes, Mount Kenya contains many smaller tarns like Lake Oblong, Lake Nanyuki, Lake Simplice, and Lake Thompson. Glacial valleys such as the Teleki, Mackinder, and the Gorge Valleys are clustered with many of them.

Some tarns are only visible after heavy rainfall or glacier melt, or when there is a melting of a glacier; in this way, estimating the number of tarns of a given species may be different between studies.

Importance of the Lakes

Mount Kenya lakes are important to the biodiversity and water supply. They sustain special alpine vegetation, amphibians, and birds that have evolved to survive under harsh conditions. More significantly, they drain into rivers, including the Tana and Ewaso Nyiro, which provide water to millions of people downstream.

The lakes are protected within Mount Kenya National Park, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are of international ecological importance.

Conclusion

The best response is that there are over 20 lakes in Mount Kenya, some of which are permanent alpine lakes and others are seasonal glacial tarns. Their combination creates one of the most impressive lake complexes of high mountains in Africa and an important component of the Kenyan natural heritage.

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