Assessment of Hydrogeomorphic Suitability of Lake Mbemun for Socio-cultural Fishing Festival in the Bachama Chiefdom, Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author YE designed the study, performed the Hydrographic and Fluid Mud Surveys as well as the Hydrogeomorphologic analysis of the lake, wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author AR wrote on the biological productivity and fishery potentials of the lake. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Hydrogeomorphologic and Limnologic Characteristics of Goro Dong (Lake) in Numan Area, Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria

“…Thickness of the lake fluid-mud layer was found to range from 0.15 m to 0.33 m with a mean thickness of 0.31 m. This signifies that the lake basin is less muddy and sticky, having its bed load material ranging from fine sand to silt with very low clay content, as compared to the high muddy and deep fluid-mud layer status of Lake Mbemun; as observed by [13]. Though this bed load characteristic of the lake (Goro Dong) may pose some negative impact on fish productivity, most especially the species with high affinity for muddy environments, the lake is considered highly suitable for vast sociocultural activities as fishing festivals and water games (recreation).…”

“…Morphometric computations and analysis revealed a general shallow characteristic for the lake with 1.48 m maximum depth and a mean depth of 1.20 m. However, the lake was found to be deeper than Goro Mbemun -another major and prominent lake in the area as ascertained by [13]. With a Maximum Length of 1.7 km, a Maximum Width of 1.0 km and a Length-Width Ratio of 1.7, the lake is open to impacts of wind and waves which in turn enhance mixing and sediment focusing.…”

“…It is characterized by substantial zone recent alluvial deposits partially underlain by shales and sandstones with eminences of limestones on the fringes around Kodomti and Shaforon settlements. Influenced by the tropical wet and dry (Aw) type of climate, the area is characterized by high mean annual temperature fluctuations (27.3°C to 30.7°C) with total annual precipitations ranging between 642 mm to1407 mm [15,13]. These geologic and climatic characteristics of the area pose tremendous influences on the hydrologic and limnologic states of the lake.…”

“…All onsite and laboratory tests were carried out based on standard procedures. The elemental analyses were conducted using Air Acetylene Flame Integrated Mode (Buck 210 Model) of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer [13]…”

“…The Lake and pond resources of the Upper Benue Valley area of Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria contribute immensely to the livelihoods of the numerous riverine human communities situated in the area. Such livelihoods which include sociocultural fishing, recreation, irrigation agriculture, livestock production and domestic water supply among others have been acknowledged [9,10,11,12,13]. Goro Dong is a major fluviatile lake in the Numan section of Upper Benue Valley area of Adamawa State, with great historical, socio-cultural and economic relevance in the Bachama land, yet little or no information is available on its hydrogeomorphic and limnologic status for the purpose of conservation and sustainable use.…”