Abstract

This paper describes the use of a two dimensional hydrodynamic model to simulate the transport of fine sediment entering Lake Victoria at the Nyando River mouth, Winam Gulf, Kenya. The sediment yield is relatively high and the estimated mean annual sediment load entering the Lake from Nyando River is in the order of 1 million ton/year. Only two other rivers entering Lake Victoria have higher annual sediment loads. Model validation was carried out based on simulated sediment deposition thickness comparison against sediment core dating analysis using Cs-137. Predicted and simulated sediment deposition thickness was of the same order.

Keywords: Lake Victoria, Sedimentation, two dimensional model, advection dispersion, core dating Cs-137