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Sedimentation in shallow depressions — A case study of Lake Magui, Western Mali/West Africa

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Abstract

Within the framework of a water resources management project in Western Mali (West Africa) many investigations have been carried out concerning the sedimentation of the Lake Magui depression which belongs to the drainage system of the Térékolé-Kolombiné River. a tributary of the Sénégal River.

With a mean precipitation of 630 mm and a rainy season of 3–6 months only 15–30 mm surface runoff is attained. The inflow into Lake Magui is characterized by an 8–10 month period without runoff and short-term heavy floods with a small amount of base-flow during the rainy season.

Locally erosion and sediment transport play a significant role. Lakes and depressions on the pediplains are hardly influenced by erosion and sedimentation, as most of the restorage of material only takes place within the watercourses and on the flood plains beyond the lakes and depressions.

In the case of Lake Magui, it has been shown, by means of comparing detailed topographical measurement carried out in 1937 and 1982, no significant silting had taken place within this period of 45 years. These results have been examined on their feasibility and transferability, by means of measuring data and by field observations of Lake Magui and its catchment area.

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Nippes, KR. Sedimentation in shallow depressions — A case study of Lake Magui, Western Mali/West Africa. GeoJournal 9, 335–341 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00171597

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