Akanyaru River
The Akanyaru River is located in the western islands of Rwanda and Burundi; it flows east and north, which is along the border between the two countries mentioned, joining the Nyabarongo River.
There stretches that contain unprotected wetlands; these are under threat from humans
Akanyaru River is a major headwater, flowing at an elevation of 2,450 meters in Burundi.
The river is a source at 2,300 meters’ elevation in the south part of Rwanda. The valleys of the higher tributaries are papyrus, containing seasonal swamp forests.
The upstream portion of the river has a catchment area of about 2,650 square kilometers.
The lower course of the river is a permanent wetland that is about 7 kilometers wide and ends where it reaches the Nyabarongo River.
80 kilometers of the river stretch drops from an elevation of 1,465 meters to 1,400 meters.
The swamp is fed from Cyohoha North and Cyohoha South, Burundi. The side of the swamp has 14,600 hectares of permanent swamps, which is along 63 kilometers stretching with the swamp, which is along 63 kilometers stretching of the river, where the swamp reaches 6 to 10 kilometers up to the valleys of tributaries.
The upstream of the river basin has an average annual rainfall of about 1,200 millimeters.
The annual rainfalls in wetlands are 800 millimeters. Rwanda is in the intertropical convergence zone, creating two rainy seasons.
They run from mid-September to mid-December and March to May. Climate change increases both floods and droughts.
FLORA
Their number of trees includes Phoenix reclinata, Ficus verruculosa, Bridelia, acacia polyacantha and many more.
FAUNA
The marshland is an area of many birds, great biodiversity with about 60 bird species, with wetlands that inhabit the swamp region.
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
The Akanyaru River is not protected, especially the valley so the land is not flooded; it’s cultivated. The local people always engage in fishing in the river and swamps. Wetlands are used for settlement and agriculture.
During the dry season local people cut and burn marsh vegetation, hence destroying the habitats.
