The Black Volta forms the border with Burkina Faso for about 150 km. The river floods during the rainy season, bursting its banks and submerging land upto 1 km away on the Lawra side. After the floods receed, the river is approximately 20 metres wide and only about 2 metres deep. During the final few months of the dry season, from March to April, the river almost dries up, exposing temporary islands and rocks.
Local fisermen fish in the river all year round using canoes made from sawn planks of hardwood. The fish is either dried and smoked for preservation, or sold fresh in the local market.
Canoes are also used to ferry people and goods to and from Burkina Faso. Because the river side is the coolest area around, small boys are often found playing or accompanying goods along the river. Whenever we used to go down to the river to fish or swim, children would often gather and be amused by our antics!
