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How does Lake Kivu drain into Lake Tanganyika?
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East African lakes
Mountains and lakes of East Africa.
Lake Kivu drains into Lake Tanganyika via the Ruzizi River.
Historically, volcanic activity along the northern shore of Lake Kivu created a dam that blocked the lake's original northern outflow toward Lake Edward. This geological event reversed the drainage of Lake Kivu, forcing it to flow southward through the Ruzizi River.1
The Ruzizi River emerges from Lake Kivu just east of Bukavu and flows approximately 100 miles (160 km) south to reach Lake Tanganyika. The river's upper course is characterized by gorges and numerous rapids, where hydroelectric power stations have been constructed to utilize the water flow.21