Wetlands in Busia County Budalang'i Delta: A Blessing and Omen A river delta is a unique landform forming at the mouth of a river where it meets a body of water with lower energy, typically the ocean or a large lake. Not to be confused with Sango Bay located in the south-western shores of Lake Victoria in the Rakai District of Uganda, River Nzoia Delta is located in Budalang'i. The latter is often given the self-same title, largely because the abutting areas over the Kenya and Uganda border share same names. That said, the two are somewhat similar. Deltas often exhibit a triangular or fan-like shape, with the river channel splitting into multiple distributaries as it flows into the body of water. The shape of the delta is influenced by factors such as the river's sediment load and flow rate. Delta usually include areas of seasonally flooded grasslands and marshes, semi-permanently flooded papyrus and upland bog. Both Sango Bay and Budalang'i deltas belong to Lake Victoria Basin. To a larger extent, Budalang'i is lower lying, dominated by plains. These plains are the mouth of River Nzoia into Lake Victoria. The Nzoia River flows for 257 km, rising from Cherangany hills. The Nzoia River is fed by numerous tributaries originating from the slopes of Mount Elgon and other nearby hills. Some of the major tributaries include the Lwakhakha, Lwakhakha, and Lusumu Rivers. It passes through Kapsara, Springer, and Moi's Bridge then crosses to Kakamega county. It flows south and then west, eventually flowing into Lake Victoria near the town of Port Victoria. From its headwaters to its mouth it loses nearly 1,200 m. The lower reaches of the River Nzoia are flat lands with low gradient. It enters the lake a short distance to the north of the Yala Swamp. The Nzoia River is known for its variable flow patterns, with seasonal fluctuations in water levels. During the rainy season, the river can experience high flows and flooding, while water levels may decrease significantly during the dry season. As the river meanders close to its terminus, it causes deposition of silt due to the low gradient. The sediments accumulate and reduce the discharge capacity of the river channel so that it overflows its banks causing flooding in the lower parts of the catchment. The dominant land cover in Budalang'i is marshy, and bare farms. Unlike at Sango Bay, where the delta is typified by intricate network of channels, islands, and marshes, at Budalang'i Delta the low-lying land goes under water. When the river reaches calmer waters, the velocity decreases, causing sediment to settle and accumulate at the river mouth. The river has a discharge of about 118 m3/s or about 3,721 million cubic metres annually, making it the second biggest river in the country by discharge. It is, however, during the rain season when the Budalang'i Delta is at full stride. It takes the form of riverine floods, inundating a vast swarthe of the plains. Increased runoff from the degraded floodplain have the severity of flooding each year. Due to its tendency to flood during periods of heavy rainfall, the mighty Nzoia River has been a focus of flood control efforts. Kenya boasts a variety of wetlands, each offering unique ecological, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Kenya's lakes along the Rift Valley, like Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, and Lake Elementaita, have wetland areas important for resident and migratory birds. All wetlands are important for biodiversity conservation and contribute to local economies through tourism, fishing, and agriculture. Index of Wetlands in Kenya Baringo County - Loboi Swamp , Busia County - Yala Swamp , River Sio Siteki Swamp , Budalang'i Delta , Garissa County - Lorian Swamp , Kajiado County - Shompole Swamp, Lake Amboseli, Kiambu County - The Ondiri Swamp, Kilifi County - River Sabaki Delta , Kisumu County - Nyando (Kusa) Wetland, Machakos County - Athi River Basin, Nakuru County - Rift Valley Wetlands, Nandi County - Kingwal Swamp , Narok County - Mara River Arc, Tana River County - Tana River Delta , Taita Taveta County - Kanderi Swamp Enjoy the warm hospitality of the people of Busia County while exploring its diverse attractions. Busia County offers a blend of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and historical sites. Visit the lakeshore to enjoy serene views, take boat rides, and possibly visit fishing communities to learn about their way of life. You Are Here: Budalang'i Delta Where to Next? Explore Destinations Nearby Budalang'i Delta A Guide to Busia County A Summa Digest of Busia About Busia Way Back When 22 Destinations in Busia County , arranged as one would visit these - east, south then north - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart: Sio Port , Samia Hills , Bakhulo Shrines in Samia , Budalang'i Forest , Port Victoria , Namenya Hills , Marenga Beach, Muhondo Conservancy, Budalang'i Delta , Che's Bay Resort , Bunyala Rice Scheme , River Nzoia , Yala Swamp , Sio Siteki Swamp , Kavirondo Rocks , Emakina Hills , Alupe Leprosy Center , Busia Border Point , Kocholia Irrigation Scheme , Kakapel Rock , Kakapel Cultural Centre , Malaba Sanctuary Know More About Busia County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate and National Monuments What's The Air Like In Busia? The temperature around Busia is more or less homogeneous. Mean maximum temperature ranges yearly between 26°C and 30°C while the average minimum temperature ranges yearly betwixt 14°C and 22°C. What's The Lay Of The Land In C.40? Both the geography and the natural conditions of Busia are largely reflective of the relief features of the surroundings Lake Victoria Catchment, in that much of the county falls within the Lake Victoria Basin. Know More About Busia County…

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