Lake Nokoué

Lake Nokoué
Lake Nokoué seen from space (false colour)
Coordinates	6°26′00″N 2°27′00″E / 6.433333°N 2.45°E / 6.433333; 2.45Coordinates: 6°26′00″N 2°27′00″E / 6.433333°N 2.45°E / 6.433333; 2.45
Basin countries	Benin
Max. length	20 km (12 mi)
Max. width	11 km (6.8 mi)

Lake Nokoué is a lake in the southern part of Benin. It is 20 km (12 mi) wide and 11 km (6.8 mi) long and is located at 6°26′00″N 2°27′00″E / 6.433333°N 2.45°E / 6.433333; 2.45. The water covers an area of 4,900 ha (12,000 acres). The lake is partly fed by the Ouémé River and the Sô River, both of which deposit sediments from throughout the region in the lake.

The city of Cotonou sits on the southern border of the lake. Sections of the population of Cotonou have been displaced by coastal and lake flooding. On the northern edge of the lake is the town of Ganvié.

Because of its diverse wildlife, the lake provides an important source of food and economic activity for these towns. Fishing is best when water is low between November and June. Fishing is typically of 30 species of fish, with fish from the Cichlid, Clupeidae and Penaeidae families making 85% of the catch. The fishery became more stressed during the 90s, as more people began fishing on the lake. Fishing is typically artisanal, with small crew dugout canoes catching small batches of fish. The estimated fish production of the lake is 2 tonnes per hectare per year.

The lake is also used for Acadja, a type of fish breeding facility.

The lake, in large part, is a lagoon. With its geometry, the lake is expected to double in size and flood as global climate change affects the sea level. There is also a risk of salinisation, which will change the ecology of the freshwater lake, potentially making it more brackish. Different sections of the lake currently alternate between fresh and brackish ecosystems at an average depth of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). Normal temperatures throughout the lake are between 27 and 29 °C (81 and 84 °F).