Turkwel

The Turkwel River flows from Mount Elgon, on Kenya's border with Uganda, to Lake Turkana. From its source to the Kenyan border in West Pokot County, the river is known as the Suam River. Turkwel is derived from Tir-kol, the Turkana word for the river, which means "withstands the wilderness" The Turkwel originates on Mount Elgon's lush green slopes and the Cherangani Hills, then passes across the Southern Turkana Plains, crossing the Loturerei Desert near Lodwar, and empties into Lake Turkana, the world's largest desert lake. The river's flow varies annually, and flash floods can occur during the wet season.

The controversial Turkwel Dam was constructed by the Kenyan government with the help of France from 1986 to 1991. The goal was to harness the Turkwel's waters. The project was expected to cost 4 billion Kenyan shillings, but it ended up costing more over 20 billion. The Turkwel Gorge Reservoir was constructed when the dam partially filled the Turkwel Gorge.

Length: 211 miles (shared with Uganda)