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Physiographic & Natural Resources
Physical and Topographic Features
The county‘s topography is mostly hilly “Gusii highlands”. The Kiabonyoru, Nyabisimba, Nkoora, Kemasare hills and the Manga ridge are the most predominant features in the county. The two topographic zones in the county lie between 1,250 m and 2,100 m above the sea level. The low zones comprise of swampy, wetlands and valley bottoms while the upper zones are dominated by the hills. The high altitude has enabled the growth of tea which is the major cash crop and income earner in the county.
The permanent rivers and streams found in the county include Sondu, Eaka, Kijauri, Kemera, Charachani, Gucha (Kuja), Bisembe, Mogonga, Chirichiro, Ramacha and Egesagane. All these rivers and several streams found in the county drain their water into Lake Victoria. River Eaka is important to Nyamira residents as this is where the intake of Nyamira water supply is located. On the other hand river Sondu has a lot of potential for hydro-electricity power generation which if harnessed can greatly contribute towards the county‘s economic development and poverty reduction efforts. The levels of these rivers have been declining over years due to environmental degradation especially improper farming methods and planting of blue gum trees in the catchments areas and river banks.
The major types of soil found in the county are red volcanic (Nitosols) which are deep, fertile and well- drained accounting for 75 per cent while the remaining 25 per cent are those found in the valley bottoms and swampy areas suitable for brick making. Though the red volcanic soils are good for farming, they make construction and road maintenance expensive.
Ecological conditions
The county is divided into two major agro-ecological zones. The highland (LH1 and LH2) covers 82 percent of the county while the upper midland zone (UM1, UM2 and UM3) covers the remaining 18 per cent. Although the vegetation in the county is evergreen, there is no gazetted forest. The tree cover in the county is mainly agro-forestry. Efforts are however, being made to gazette and conserve the hilltops. These have been encroached due to high population pressure. There is need to expand the forest cover throughout the county which will be a source of timber and wood fuel that will earn the community income resulting to poverty reduction. Emphasis is being made on gravellia that benefits the farmers more than the blue gums.
Climatic Conditions
The county has a bimodal pattern of annual rainfall that is well distributed, reliable and adequate for a wide range of crops. Annual rainfall ranges between 1200 mm-2100 mm per annum. The long and short rain seasons start from December to June and July to November respectively, with no distinct dry spell separating them.
The maximum day and minimum night temperatures are normally between 28.7 C and 10.1 C respectively, resulting to an average normal temperature of 19.4 C which is favourable for both agricultural and livestock production.
The county‘s topography is mostly hilly “Gusii highlands”. The Kiabonyoru, Nyabisimba, Nkoora, Kemasare hills and the Manga ridge are the most predominant features in the county. The two topographic zones in the county lie between 1,250 m and 2,100 m above the sea level. The low zones comprise of swampy, wetlands and valley bottoms while the upper zones are dominated by the hills. The high altitude has enabled the growth of tea which is the major cash crop and income earner in the county.
The permanent rivers and streams found in the county include Sondu, Eaka, Kijauri, Kemera, Charachani, Gucha (Kuja), Bisembe, Mogonga, Chirichiro, Ramacha and Egesagane. All these rivers and several streams found in the county drain their water into Lake Victoria. River Eaka is important to Nyamira residents as this is where the intake of Nyamira water supply is located. On the other hand river Sondu has a lot of potential for hydro-electricity power generation which if harnessed can greatly contribute towards the county‘s economic development and poverty reduction efforts. The levels of these rivers have been declining over years due to environmental degradation especially improper farming methods and planting of blue gum trees in the catchments areas and river banks.
The major types of soil found in the county are red volcanic (Nitosols) which are deep, fertile and well- drained accounting for 75 per cent while the remaining 25 per cent are those found in the valley bottoms and swampy areas suitable for brick making. Though the red volcanic soils are good for farming, they make construction and road maintenance expensive.
Ecological conditions
The county is divided into two major agro-ecological zones. The highland (LH1 and LH2) covers 82 percent of the county while the upper midland zone (UM1, UM2 and UM3) covers the remaining 18 per cent. Although the vegetation in the county is evergreen, there is no gazetted forest. The tree cover in the county is mainly agro-forestry. Efforts are however, being made to gazette and conserve the hilltops. These have been encroached due to high population pressure. There is need to expand the forest cover throughout the county which will be a source of timber and wood fuel that will earn the community income resulting to poverty reduction. Emphasis is being made on gravellia that benefits the farmers more than the blue gums.
Climatic Conditions
The county has a bimodal pattern of annual rainfall that is well distributed, reliable and adequate for a wide range of crops. Annual rainfall ranges between 1200 mm-2100 mm per annum. The long and short rain seasons start from December to June and July to November respectively, with no distinct dry spell separating them.
The maximum day and minimum night temperatures are normally between 28.7 C and 10.1 C respectively, resulting to an average normal temperature of 19.4 C which is favourable for both agricultural and livestock production.
