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Originating from Lake Kivu, the Ruzizi River forms one of the chief Burundi rivers. Ruzizi River forms an important geographical feature of Burundi and an integral part of the river network of Burundi. Ruzizi River forms a natural border between the two neighboring countries of Burundi and Zaire.
Flowing into the Zaire River Basin, Ruzizi River drains into Lake Tanganyika located in the Central Region of Africa. The Ruzizi River descends from an elevation of approximately 1,500 m above sea level to 770 m above sea level during its journey from Lake Kivu to Lake Tanganyika.
The tributaries of Ruzizi River form a river network that covers most of the country. The main tributaries of Ruzizi River are the Lau, the Kaburantwa, the Nyamagana and the Mpanda. The River Lau, one of the chief tributaries of Ruzizi River, is part of the natural boundary between Burundi and Rwanda.
The waters of the fast flowing Ruzizi River are used for the production of hydroelectricity. The currents of the Ruzizi River are properly channelized in order to utilize this natural and renewable resource of power generation. Ruzizi River also provides water for irrigation in the remote eastern and western low lying areas.
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