Lake Mburo National Park Water quality and hydrological monitoring (April 2024–April 2025)

Abstract

The one year monitoring campaign of water quality in the Lake Mburo – River Rwizi system shows clear signs of high turbidity and eutrophication. Persistent low oxygen levels and recurring nitrogen and phosphorus spikes are found at specific lake sites. Water levels in the lake are shallow (1 – 3.5m). Flow in downstream rivers is close to zero in the dry season. The wetlands at the inflow zones play an important role in ecosystem functioning of the Lake Mburo – River Rwizi system. Restoration efforts should hence target wetland areas around in- and outflow zones. A long-term monitoring campaign is necessary to track trends over time, detect changes in both water quality and hydrology, and evaluate the effectiveness of management interventions. The monitoring campaign was conducted by the Universities of Mbarara (MUST, Uganda) and Antwerp (UA, Belgium) under the UCoBS programma, financed by VLIRUOS in Flanders, Belgium. Monthly water quality assessments were done at 11 key sites in Lake Mburo National Park and the southern Isingiro region, covering the Rwizi and Nyarutengura rivers and Lake Mburo (Fig. 1). This document presents the main findings from the first year of monitoring, with the purpose of disseminating results to Lake Mburo Park Authorities (UWA), regional water managers, and other stakeholders. More information is provided in the report by Lodi et al. (2025).