Lake Malombe

Lake Malombe is a lake in southern part of Malawi, on the Shire River, in the Southern Region. It is located at around 14°40′0″S 35°15′0″E / 14.66667°S 35.25000°E / -14.66667; 35.25000, about twelve miles south of much larger Lake Malawi. It has an area of about 450 square kilometres (170 sq mi). In recent years the number of fishermen on the lake rose substantially, and this led to local decline in some fish species, especially the chambo which is an important source of food throughout Malawi. The lake is extremely shallow with an average depth of approximately eight feet, and during periods of dry weather the water level recedes and can even disappear.