Sobat River

Summary

The Sobat River is a river of the Greater Upper Nile region in northeastern South Sudan, Africa. It is the most southerly of the great eastern tributaries of the White Nile, before the confluence with the Blue Nile.

Sobat River
Sobat River from air
Location
CountrySouth Sudan
StateJonglei, Upper Nile (state)
Physical characteristics
SourceBaro River
 • locationDibdib, Ethiopia
 • coordinates7°42′04″N 35°52′44″E / 7.701°N 35.879°E / 7.701; 35.879
 • elevation2,367 m (7,766 ft)
2nd sourcePibor River
 • locationPibor Post, Greater Pibor
 • coordinates6°47′42″N 33°09′07″E / 6.7951°N 33.1519°E / 6.7951; 33.1519
 • elevation418 m (1,371 ft)
Source confluence 
 • locationAjungmir, Jonglei
 • coordinates8°26′10″N 33°13′7″E / 8.43611°N 33.21861°E / 8.43611; 33.21861
 • elevation404 m (1,325 ft)
MouthWhite Nile
 • location
Againg, Upper Nile
 • coordinates
9°22′2″N 31°32′57″E / 9.36722°N 31.54917°E / 9.36722; 31.54917
 • elevation
398 m (1,306 ft)
Length354 km (220 mi)[1]
Basin size225,000 km2 (87,000 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • locationHillet Doleib
 • average412 m3/s (14,500 cu ft/s)
 • minimum99 m3/s (3,500 cu ft/s)
 • maximum680 m3/s (24,000 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
 • locationmouth
 • average437 m3/s (15,400 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionWhite NileNileMediterranean Sea
River systemNile
Sobat River basin

Geography edit

The Sobat River is formed by the confluence of the west-flowing Baro River and the north-flowing Pibor River, on the border with Ethiopia. The river enters the White Nile at Doleib Hill, near the city of Malakal in Upper Nile State.

When in flood the Sobat River produces an enormous discharge carrying a white sediment, which gives the White Nile its name.[1]

Hydrology edit

The Sobat and its tributaries drain a watershed approximately 225,000 km2 (87,000 sq mi) in size. The river's mean annual discharge is 412 m³/s (14,550 ft³/s).[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Sobat River". Encyclopædia Britannica Online Library Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2008-01-21. (registration required)
  2. ^ Shahin, Mamdouh (2002). Hydrology and Water Resources of Africa. Springer. pp. 276, 288. ISBN 1-4020-0866-X.; online at Google Books

External links edit