Ruzizi River

Introduction

River in Central Africa The Ruzizi River, flowing south into Lake Tanganyika, is part of the upper watershed of the Congo River.River in Central Africa The Ruzizi River, flowing south into Lake Tanganyika, is part of the upper watershed of the Congo River.

Nineteenth century British explorers such as Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke, uncertain of the direction of flow of the Ruzizi, thought that it might flow north out of the lake toward the White Nile.Nineteenth century British explorers such as Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke, uncertain of the direction of flow of the Ruzizi, thought that it might flow north out of the lake toward the White Nile.

Their research and follow up explorations by David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley established that this was not the case.Their research and follow up explorations by David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley established that this was not the case.

The Ruzizi flows into Lake Tanganyika, which overflows into the Lukuga River about south of Ujiji.The Ruzizi flows into Lake Tanganyika, which overflows into the Lukuga River about south of Ujiji.

The Lukuga flows west into the Lualaba River, a major tributary of the Congo.The Lukuga flows west into the Lualaba River, a major tributary of the Congo.

Geology

Rifting, the slow pulling apart of a tectonic plate, has produced the East African Rift system and its many basins and lakes.Rifting, the slow pulling apart of a tectonic plate, has produced the East African Rift system and its many basins and lakes.

The system, on the boundary between the African Plate (Nubian Plate) and the Somali Plate, has two branches, both oriented north–south.The system, on the boundary between the African Plate (Nubian Plate) and the Somali Plate, has two branches, both oriented north–south.

Rifting in the western branch, called the Albertine Rift, began between 25 and 10 million years ago.Rifting in the western branch, called the Albertine Rift, began between 25 and 10 million years ago.

Uplift associated with the rifting altered the connections among the region's water bodies.Uplift associated with the rifting altered the connections among the region's water bodies.

Water from Lake Kivu was then forced south down the Ruzizi.Water from Lake Kivu was then forced south down the Ruzizi.

Ruzizi I and II are operated by a tri national company (Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo) owned by the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries.Ruzizi I and II are operated by a tri national company (Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo) owned by the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries.

The consortium is planning two more dams, Ruzizi III and Ruzizi IV.The consortium is planning two more dams, Ruzizi III and Ruzizi IV.

It is expected to provide 287 MW to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.It is expected to provide 287 MW to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.

In the film documenting Gustave ("Capturing the Killer Croc"), the narrator states that "In the 1950s, buffalo, elephants and common warthogs inhabited the plain; but they were progressively exterminated by man.In the film documenting Gustave ("Capturing the Killer Croc"), the narrator states that "In the 1950s, buffalo, elephants and common warthogs inhabited the plain; but they were progressively exterminated by man.

The only survivor amongst the large mammals has been the hippopotamus.The only survivor amongst the large mammals has been the hippopotamus.

And they share the river, in an uneasy co existence, with the nile crocodiles."And they share the river, in an uneasy co existence, with the nile crocodiles."