Lake Débo

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Débo
image_lake = Niger River Center Island.jpg
caption_lake = Mud houses on the center island at Lake Débo
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coords = coord|15|19|0|N|4|6|0|W|type:waterbody_region:ML|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
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catchment =
basin_countries = Mali
length =
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area = 160 km²
depth =
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Lake Débo is a lake in central part of Mali, formed by the seasonal flooding of the Niger River basin.

Extent

Lake Débo, at its greatest extent, lies around 80 km from Mopti on its upstream end and 240km from Timbuktu at its downstream end. It is the largest of many such seasonal wetlands and lakes which form the Niger Inland Delta, and the largest lake in Mali. It is largely reduced during the September to March dry season.

Usage

During the seasonal floods of the Niger and Bani Rivers, the lake is intesively trawled by the ethnic Bozo fisherman who live along its shores, while in the dry season, the many ethnic Fula nomads and their herds from the north end their transhumance migration here.

Habitat

The lake is also an important stopping place for Migratory birds, and UNESCO has classified it as a RAMSAR zone ("The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat", "zone humide reconnue d’un intérêt international pour la migration des oiseaux d’eau")

References

*Portions of this article were translated from the French language Wikipedia article , 2008-03-06.