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Environmental Flows for People and Ecosystems in the Mara River Basin (MaraFlows)

  • Research & Development
  • Jan 2010 - Dec 2014
  • Partners: Egerton University, Kenya; University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Florida International University, USA: WWF Kenya
  • Donor: Stichting IHE
  • Donor Programme: UNESCO-IHE Partnership Research Fund - part of DUPC
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa

The aim of the MaraFlows Project is to investigate relationships between the hydrological flow regime of the Mara River, its water quality, the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems, and the delivery of ecosystem services on which people depend. The Mara River lies in the Lake Victoria Basin at the headwaters of the Nile Basin. It is the only perennial river flowing through the world renowned Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park. It is also the main source of water for nearly one million human inhabitants with growing water demands. The balance between ecosystem water needs and human water development is maintained by allocating and enforcing environmental flows of sufficient quantity and quality. MaraFlows focuses on the science of environmental flows and knowledge required to efficiently meet environmental objectives in water management. The project includes detailed hillslope and reach-scale process level studies, as well as basin scale modeling of key processes. Growing understanding is incorporated into basin management strategies and plans though close collaboration with water authorities.