Oguta Lake | |
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Location | Imo State |
Coordinates | 5°42′24″N6°47′33″E / 5.70667°N 6.79250°E |
Primary inflows | Utu, Awbana, Orashi and Njaba rivers |
Basin countries | Nigeria |
Max. depth | 8 m (26 ft) |
Designated | 30 April 2008 |
Reference no. | 1757 [1] |
Oguta Lake is a lean 'finger lake' formed by the damming of the lower Njaba River with alluvium. [2] it is the largest natural lake in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria; [3] within the equatorial rainforest region of Niger Delta. [3] [4] Oguta Lake's catchment area comprises the drainage area of the Njaba River and a part of the River Niger floodplain in the region south of Onitsha. [3] [5]
The lake is situated in Oguta about 50 kilometres (30 mi) from the junction of the Ndoni and Orashi River. [6] It is about eight kilometres (5 mi) long from east to west and 2.5 kilometres (1+1⁄2 mi)wide. [7] The lake is 5:41-5:44N, 6:41-6:50E; <50 m above sea level [8]
The stream from Njaba River is the major inflow to Oguta Lake. [9] The other three tributaries are Awbana, Utu and Orashi. [10] The Orashi River flows past Oguta Lake in its southwestern portion. [9]
The wet season is warm while the dry season is hot, muggy, and partly cloudy in Oguta Lake. During the year, the temperature typically varies from 68°F to 88°F and is rarely below 60°F or above 91°F. [11]
Based on beach/pool score, the best time of year to visit Oguta for hot-weather activities is from late November to late January. [12]
The lake is important to the people of oil-rich Njaba River basin including Oguta, Orsu, Mgbidi, Nkwesi, Osemotor, Nnebukwu, Mgbele, Awa Awo-Omamma Akabo as a source of water, fish, tourism and an outlet for sewerage. [13] Uhamiri is the goddess of the lake. [14]
The river route Njaba and Orashi via Oguta Lake to the coast, passing through Awo-omamma, Mgbidi, Oguta, Ndoni, Abonnema, Degema made Oguta, Osemotor, Awo-omamma and surrounding towns.[ citation needed ] Oguta Lake also served as a Biafran army marine base during the Nigerian Civil War. [15]
In Oguta, the dry season is hot, muggy, and partially cloudy whereas the wet season is warm, oppressive, and overcast. The average annual temperature ranges from 68°F to 88°F, rarely falling below 60°F or rising above 91°F. [16]