Sanaga River

The Sanaga River (formerly German: Zannaga) is the largest river in Cameroon located in East Region, Centre Region and Littoral Region. Its length is about 603 km (375 mi) from the confluence of Djérem and Lom River. The total length of Sanaga-Djérem River system is about 1,067.5 km (663.3 mi). Djerem is the longest source of Sanaga River with a total length of 464.5 km.

Sanaga River
The Sanaga River after the Edea Hydroelectric Power Station
Map of the Sanaga River drainage basin
Location
CountryCameroon
RegionsEast Region, Centre Region, Littoral Region
CitiesEdéa, Nanga Eboko, Bélabo
Physical characteristics
SourceConfluence of Djérem River and Lom River[1]
  coordinates5.323772°N 13.397769°E / 5.323772; 13.397769
  elevation628 m (2,060 ft)
MouthBight of Biafra
  coordinates
3.559338°N 9.652175°E / 3.559338; 9.652175
  elevation
0 m
Length603 km (375 mi), with Djérem River 1,067.5 km (663.3 mi)
Basin size132,990 km2 (51,350 sq mi)
Discharge 
  locationEdéa
  average1,985 m3/s (70,100 cu ft/s)
  minimum234 m3/s (8,300 cu ft/s)
  maximum6,950 m3/s (245,000 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
  locationBight of Biafra, Cameroon (near mouth)
  average2,072 m3/s (73,200 cu ft/s)[2]
  minimum473 m3/s (16,700 cu ft/s)[2]
  maximum5,700 m3/s (200,000 cu ft/s)[2]
Basin features
River systemSanaga River
Tributaries 
  leftLong River, Tete River, Sele River, Mfam River, Ngoba River
  rightMbam River, Mbuku River, Ligene River, Djam River, Dorong River, Jape River, Uem River
WaterbodiesSong Loulou Hydroelectric Power Station, Edea Hydroelectric Power Station
BridgesJapoma Bridge

Course

The Sanaga River has its source at the Adamawa Plateau.[3] It is formed by the confluence of the Djérem and Lom Rivers in the north of the East Region. Djérem River has a total length of 464.5 km (288.6 mi) and Lom River a total length of 424.2 km (263.6 mi). Apart from these originating rivers, the largest tributary of Sanaga is Mbam River with a total length of 548 km (341 mi).[4]

Slope of Sanaga River
Slope of Sanaga River[1]

Climate

The Sanaga River forms a boundary between two tropical moist forest ecoregions. The Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests lie to the north between the Sanaga River and the Cross River of Nigeria, and the Atlantic Equatorial coastal forests extend south of the river through southwestern Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Cabinda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hydrology

The flow of the river was measured at Edéa in m³/s[1]

Dams and reservoirs

Beginning at the headwaters, there are 2 dams on the Sanaga River:

Dam Nameplate capacity
(MW)
Reservoir Surface area
(km2)
Total capacity
(Mio. m³)
Song Loulou 384 10
Edea 264

Transport

Edea bridge on the Sanaga
Forest around the Sanaga River
Around the Sanaga River

References

Further reading

3°33′33.62″N 9°39′07.83″E


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