Water losses from the Sudd

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

ABSTRACTWater losses in the Sudd wetlands of South Sudan have significant effects on water resources available to Sudan and Egypt. These losses increased greatly after the dramatic rise of Lake Victoria in 1961–1964, but investigation into the cause and location of these increased losses has been hindered by the shortage of records after 1963 and their cessation after 1983. By linking flow records at key points within the Sudd with the distribution of vegetation before the rise, analysis of vegetation after the rise can throw light on the distribution of resulting losses and their causes. Although the increased flooding in the upper reaches of the Sudd has been noted, this paper draws attention to greatly increased inundation in the lower reaches, apparently from backwater flooding, which would affect any future proposal for the Jonglei Canal project.