Location Burundi Surface area 100 km (40 sq mi) Max. depth 3.9 m (10 ft) Area 100 km² Basin countries Burundi, Rwanda | Type Lake Average depth 2.1 m (10 ft) Surface elevation 3,800 m (12,470 ft) Shore length 76 km | |
Lake Rweru is a lake close to the northernmost point of Burundi in central Africa. The northern shore of the lake forms part of Burundi's border with Rwanda. It is famous as the most distant startpoint of the Nile River. The Kagera River, which is considered by many as the start point of the Nile, rises at the northern part of the lake, located in Rwanda.
Contents
Map of Lake Rweru
Geography
The lake has a surface area of 100 km2 (40 sq mi) between two countries, Burundi (80 km2 (30 sq mi)) and Rwanda (20 km2 (10 sq mi)). The lake has a shoreline of approximately 76 km. The lake is very shallow in most parts and has a mean depth of 2.1 m with its maximum depth at 3 m located in Burundi. The Kagera River flows out of the lake in Burundi and flows east along Rwanda's border until it joins the Ruvubu River.
Controversy
In August 2015 fishermen in Burundi living around the lake in the Muyinga Province recovered over 40 unidentified bodies floating in the lake. Most of the bodies were wrapped in plastic flow into Burundi from Rwanda with the Kagera River. The bodies recovered were in the advance stages of decomposition, alarming the local villagers due to health concerns. Burundi claims that all the bodies recovered were Rwandan by nationality and there are no credible conclusions to how the bodies were killed. Both countries deny that the bodies are their citizens. The Federal Bureau of Investigation from the United States agreed to take the case after both countries showed lack of interest to look into the matter.