Lake Olbolosat, nestled in the heart of central Kenya, has long been a vital ecological and economic resource for the region. This wetland ecosystem boasts rich biodiversity and plays a crucial role in sustaining livelihoods. However, in recent years, Lake Olbolosat has been facing a significant challenge – dwindling water levels and environmental changes that threaten its existence.

In an effort towards monitoring and assessing the change in this lake, the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) under the Global Monitoring of Environment and Security(GMES) and Africa, has harnessed the power of Sentinel Radar data to develop a Wetland Change Map and an animated spatial time series, enabling a close examination of the lake's transformation from 2018 to 2023.

The Wetland Change Map, developed under the Wetland Monitoring Service area implementing areas, under GMES and Africa using Sentinel-2 Landsat data, will empower the Department of Physical Planning in the County Government of Nyandarua to enhance the management of the Land Use Changes, promote and execute conservation and rehabilitation initiatives around the lake region and make informed decisions regarding land use and sustainable practices.

These high-resolution satellite images provide a unique perspective on environmental changes, allowing for the precise measurement of water levels and land use alterations.  The satellite images also provide Real-Time Monitoring: The Wetland Change Map offers real-time insights into the dynamics of Lake Olbolosat, enabling continuous observation and assessment. The map also allows for detailed analysis of land use changes and water level fluctuations, making it an invaluable resource for researchers, policymakers, and conservationists.

 Author: Gladys Mwangi