Abstract:
Aquatic plant infestations impede lake traffic through navigable waterways, block ports and passen-
ger ferry terminals. Timely, accurate information on aquatic plant dynamism, distributions and
density is required both by public agencies and by private companies engaged in aquatic plant control
efforts and the local population whose economic livelihood depends on the lake. This study combined
the interpretation of remote sensing and climatic variability data in understanding the seasonal
dynamism and abundance of water hyacinth in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria. The results showed a
direct relationship between the hyacinth geographic and density distribution and seasonal-climatic
patterns. Gentle currents, moderate rainfall and modest but stable temperatures propagated the rapid
blooming and aggregation of the hyacinth mats especially in the sheltered bays. Relatively high
rainfall and high temperatures do not favor the proliferation of the weed; hence disintegration and
mobility as the strengths of the currents increase in magnitude.
