Lake R'Kiz or Rkiz, historically known as Lake Cayor or Cayar,[3] is a lake in southern Mauritania with an area of 12,970 ha.[1]
| R'Kiz | |
|---|---|
 Photo taken by Apollo 6. | |
  R'Kiz Location in Mauritania | |
| Location | Mauritania |
| Coordinates | 16°52′N 15°17′W / 16.867°N 15.283°W |
| Type | Ephemeral Lake |
| Primary inflows | Senegal River |
| Primary outflows | Senegal River |
| Max. width | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Surface area | 12,970 ha (32,000 acres) |
| Average depth | 1.44 m (4 ft 9 in) |
| Max. depth | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1 m (3 ft 3 in) |
| Settlements | R'Kiz |
| References | [1] [2] |
Ecology
editSince the lake is fed by surplus water from the Senegal River, during the rainy season it can increase to a maximum length of 34 km and a width of up to 8 km,[2] while the water level can fluctuate by as much as 4.29 m.[1]
In the marshland along its fringes, Phragmites and Typha reeds are growing, which are cut for thatching. Several species of snakes, and small mammals such as otters and mongooses, are present. Slender-snouted crocodiles can also be found.[2] The lake has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of non-breeding western swamphens, as well as wintering garganeys and northern pintails.[4]
Economy
editThe lake has been used for fishing,[2] but agriculture is also prevalent. Although the region has seen several agriculture projects aimed at benefiting farmers both by the Islamic Development Bank and The Food Crisis Prevention Network,[5][6][7] like elsewhere in Mauritania, as of 2017[update] significant portions of the local population continued to suffer from living conditions comparable to modern slavery.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Rkiz, Lake". Database for Hydrological Time Series of Inland Waters (DAHITI). Deutsches Geodätisches Forschungsinstitut. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d Huges, R. H.; Huges, J. S. (1992). A Directory of African Wetlands. Cambridge: IUCN. p. 50. ISBN 9782880329495. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ Wade, Amadou, 1964, "Chronique du Walo sénégalais (1186-1855)", B. Cissé trans., V. Monteil, editor, Bulletin de l'IFAN, Series B, Vol. 26, no. 3/4, 454.
- ^ "Rkîz". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ "R'KIZ LAKE IRRIGATION PROJECT (F.S)". IsDB Project Database. Islamic Development Bank. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "EXECUTION OF R'KIZ LAKE PROJECT". IsDB Project Database. Islamic Development Bank. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "Projet d'aménagement hydro-agricole de la cuvette du lac R'Kiz" [Hydro-agricultural development project for the R’Kiz lake basin]. The Food Crisis Prevention Network (in French). Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ Aidara. "L'esclavage agricole aux bords du Lac R'Kiz, en Mauritanie" [Agricultural slavery on the shores of Lake R’Kiz, Mauritania]. Thaqafa (in French). Retrieved 19 July 2020.
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