Grade 4- Physical features in Nakuru County

Physical Features are natural things we see on the surface of the earth

They show how the land looks like

Examples of physical features

1. Rivers

2. Lakes

3. Mountains

4. Plains

5. Valleys

6. Swamps

7. Plateaus

8. Springs

9. Hills

10. Oceans 

RIVERS

A river is a natural flow of water in a valley

Rivers flow throughout the year are called permanent rivers 

Rivers flowing only during wet season are called seasonal rivers 

An area where the river starts is called a source 

Small streams that join the main river are called Tributaries 

A point where two or more rivers meet is called a confluence 

Where the river drains forms its mouth 

Examples of Rivers in our County

1)      River Subukia

2)      River Amalo in Olenguruone

3)      River Molo

4)      River Chawai in Mau forest

5)      River Chinga in Subukia

6)      River Kabazi 

7)      River Chania in Bahati

8)      Shrine stream

Some Seasonal Rivers

1)      River Nyarugu in Njoro

2)      River Bagaria

3)      River Lolderi

4)      River Kirimu

WATERFALLS

It is the flow of a river over a very high place to the ground

Some examples of water falls in our county

1. Bagaria water falls along R.Bagaria

2. Songongo water falls along R.Chewai

3. Glory and along the Subukia escarpment

LAKES

It is a large depression on the surface of the earth that is filled with water

Examples

1. Lake Nakuru

2. Lake Elementaita

3. Lake Naivasha

4. Lake Oloidien

HILLS

It is an area that is higher than the surrounding land

Hills are smaller than mountains

Examples

1)      Hyrax hills

2)      Lions hills

3)      Man hills

4)      Eburu hills

5)      Kerugue hills

6)      Gilgil hills

7)      Jogoo hills

8)      Lesirwa hills

9)      Jumatatu hills

10)  Kasambara hills

11)  Kianjoya hills at miti mingi

12)  Elge wood hills

13)  Arashi hills

14)  Kerima Ndege hills in mbogoini

15)  Gitunga hills

16)  Mwiteithia hills in Mbogoini lower subukia

17)  Honeymoon hill in Nakuru National Park

MOUNTAINS

It is a large part of the earth surface that is much higher than its surrounding

Examples

1. Mt. Menengai

2. Mt. Longonot

3. Mt. Suswa

The highest mountain in Nakuru County is MT. Longonot near Maai – Mahiu, Naivasha Sub County

PLAINS

It is a large low land that is generally flat

1. Elementaita plains

2. Kigio plains

3. Rongai- boror – ngata plains

 VALLEYS

•      It is a depression between two areas that are high or raised

•      Valleys that rivers flow through them are called Valley Rivers

Examples

1. Great rift valley

2. Nyatoru valley in Kiambogo

3. Subukia valley
   

SWAMPS

Are lowlands filled with water and covered by swamps Examples

1. Kiptungar swampsnear Mau forest

2. Sasumua swamp near Muchorwe moto

3. Wila swamp in kuresoi

4. Silbwet swamp in keringet in kuresoi

SPRINGS

It forms where water flows out of the ground from an underground source

Examples

1. Lake Elementaita springs

2. Lake Nakuru springs

3. Labere Springs

4. Oljorai Springs

5. Kariandusi Springs

6. Chamuka Springs

PLATEAUS

It is a raised piece of land that is flat at the top

Examples

1. Metha plateau

2. Kiambogo – Ndabibi area near Nyatoru valley

OCEANS

Are very large areas of water where water from different rivers collect.

Examples

Indian Ocean

 Importance of Physical Features

1. Water for domestic and industrial use

2. Home for wildlife

3. Used for irrigation

4. Tourist attraction

5. Used for transport

6. Clay collected at the riverbanks is used for modeling

7. Rivers act as boundaries

8. Plains are good grazing grounds

9. Valleys are good for farming

Conserving Physical Features 

1. Physical features can be conserved by

2. Plating more trees

3. Not cutting down trees

4. Prevent overuse and deforestation of forest. 

5. Avoid pollution of water bodies.

6. Educate people on importance of physical features.