Lake Baringo, one of Kenya's Great Rift Valley freshwater lakes, has faced a challenge over the years: fluctuating water levels, which have had adverse effects on the surrounding environment and livelihoods.
To comprehensively monitor Lake Baringo's water level changes and address the need for accurate and timely information on its rising water levels, RCMRD under GMES and Africa project has turned to satellite Earth observation data, specifically the Sentinel-1 and the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) to derive both precipitation levels and the water level variations of Lake Baringo from 2017 to 2023.
By combining the information derived from Sentinel-1 with CHIRPS precipitation data, this integrated approach gave way to not only understanding the lake's current water levels but also the contributing factors, such as rainfall patterns and their impact on the lake.
One of the remarkable outcomes is the creation of an animated spatial time series map. This map displayed the dynamic changes in Lake Baringo's water levels from 2017 to 2023. By overlaying the Sentinel-1 radar imagery and CHIRPS data, you can observe the ebb and flow of the lake over the years.
The correlation between rainfall and rising water levels is a well-established phenomenon. In March 2020, a significant rise in the lake's water extent was witnessed, which can be attributed to increased rainfall. From December 2020 to March 2021 when rainfall levels dropped to less than 100 mm, logically, one would expect a decrease in water extent during a period of reduced precipitation. However, the lake's water levels did not follow this expected trend this has raised questions about what other factors influence Lake Baringo's rising water levels.
Lake Baringo's water levels are a result of a complex interplay of factors that go beyond the simplistic relationship between rainfall and water extent. While precipitation remains a crucial driver, the lake's hydrology is influenced by underground springs, geological features, human activities, climate variability, and seasonal delays. Understanding and predicting these fluctuations is essential for sustainable management of this vital ecosystem
About CHIRPS Data:
The Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) is a high-resolution precipitation dataset that combines satellite imagery with ground station data. Precipitation is a critical factor affecting water levels in lakes, and CHIRPS provides valuable information on rainfall patterns in the Lake Baringo region.
https://data.chc.ucsb.edu/products/CHIRPS-2.0
About Sentinel-1
Sentinel-1, part of the European Space Agency's Copernicus program, is a constellation of radar satellites designed for all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation. Its ability to penetrate cloud cover and provide high-resolution imagery makes it a valuable tool for monitoring environmental changes, including water levels in lakes
https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/user-guides/sentinel-1-sar
