Lake Nzilo, body of water

Lake Nzilo is a reservoir on the Lualaba River in Haut-Lomami Province, about 16 km northeast of Kolwezi, held back by the Delcommune dam. In the photograph it appears as a narrow, jagged blue body of water running top to bottom, its upper part forking into small points and its lower end tapering toward the lower right, set in pale lavender-pink terrain. Swamps border parts of the shore.

The reservoir was created by building a hydroelectric dam on the Lualaba River, with the final section completed in the early 1950s. The project was developed to supply water and power to the copper mining operations in the nearby area.

The reservoir is named after Alexandre Delcommune, a Belgian soldier and explorer. Its fish, including Labeo, Barbus, Clarias and Tilapia, support local fishing. By 2007 the lake was popular with the expatriate community for weekend water sports.

Visitors should be cautious about swimming due to pollution from nearby mining activities and health risks from parasitic infections. It is better to enjoy the view from the shores or engage in boating if permitted by local authorities.

The reservoir was stocked with fish and is now an important site for waterbirds; its main species include Labeo, Barbus, Clarias and Tilapia. Schistosomiasis thrives in the polluted water, and infections have been reported. As of 2007 the lake was popular with the expatriate community for weekend water sports.