Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, largest freshwater lake in Africa, located in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya; major water source for the Nile River. The lake is 210 mi (337 km) long and 150 mi (241 km) at its widest point. The Owen Falls Dam, constructed on the Nile River to generate hydroelectric power (1954), raised the level of the lake about 3 ft (1 m) to a depth of 270 ft (82 m). Numerous islands rise from the lake, Ukerewe being the largest and most populated. There are several million people living within a 50-mi (80-km) radius of Lake Victoria, making it the most heavily populated area in Africa.