Hydrological Aspects of Artificial Lake Design: A Case Study of the Proposed Kurikyo Lake, Lafia Nasarawa State

Artificially created lakes involve one form of impoundment or another. A lake is simply a body of water surrounded by land. It can be natural e.g. Lake Chad or artificially created by man in order to beautify his environment, for irrigation and domestic water supply. Factors generally considered before the creation of artificial lakes include physical and economic/social factors. Physical factors include geomorphology, hydrology and climate. While socio economic factors include developmental plans, land ownership, availability of technology/equipment, impact on socio – economic activities of individuals in the area among others. The present study looks at the hydrological aspect for the development of an artificial lake in Lafia. The area of interest is River Kurikyo catchment area; the river has its mouth situated along Shendam road in Lafia town, close to the House of Assembly Complex. The river flows in a northwestern direction and has numerous small streams contributing to its flow.