Nairobi Dam, Embankment dam in Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi Dam is an embankment dam across the Nairobi River that creates a reservoir serving parts of the western city. The structure holds water from multiple sources, including the Motoine River and local rainfall.
The dam was built in 1953 to provide water supply to Nairobi and control water flows from the Rift Valley region. The project became central to the city's water management infrastructure.
The reservoir borders Kibera, where residents once caught fish and collected water for their daily lives before environmental shifts made such activities more difficult. The connection between the local community and this water body remains part of their neighborhood identity.
The dam is easily accessible from the city and offers views across the reservoir and surrounding areas. Access is best by car or local transport options.
Water leaves the reservoir through a spillway and by evaporation under the intense sun, which affects the water level over time. These natural processes shape how the dam functions throughout the year.
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