Major Rivers in Mauritania

Mauritania, located in the western part of North Africa, is a country characterized by vast deserts, arid landscapes, and a limited water supply. The country relies heavily on a few key rivers for its water needs, especially for agriculture, livestock, and drinking water. Despite its dry conditions, these rivers provide crucial resources that sustain both human populations and ecosystems. The most significant rivers in Mauritania include the Senegal River, the Gorgol River, the Chinguetti River, and the others that flow through the country’s central and southern regions. Each of these rivers plays a vital role in the country’s agriculture, commerce, and daily life.

1. Senegal River

Overview

The Senegal River is one of the longest and most important rivers in West Africa, forming a natural border between Mauritania and Senegal. Originating in the highlands of Guinea, it flows northwestward through Mali and enters Mauritania before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at the border between Mauritania and Senegal. The river serves as an essential source of water for agriculture, fishing, and human consumption in both Mauritania and Senegal.

The Senegal River plays a vital role in the agriculture of Mauritania, particularly in the regions of Rosso, which rely on the river for irrigation, especially for rice cultivation. It is also a significant transport route, with boats and barges used to move goods between the countries along the river. The river is ecologically rich, supporting a variety of wildlife, including fish and birds. However, it is increasingly threatened by the effects of climate change, including fluctuations in water levels and water pollution.

Key Information

• Length: Approximately 1,790 kilometers (with around 800 kilometers passing through Mauritania)
• Provinces it passes through: Hodh El Chargui, Trarza, Brakna, Gorgol
• Major towns and cities along the river: Rosso, Kaedi, Nouakchott
• Notable features: Forms a natural border between Mauritania and Senegal, used for irrigation, transport, and fishing

Economic and Ecological Importance

The Senegal River provides critical water for irrigation, supporting rice production, which is a staple crop for Mauritania. The river also plays a significant role in the local fishing industry, which contributes to the food supply of Mauritania. The river’s basin supports diverse wildlife, making it an important ecological zone for both Mauritania and Senegal.

2. Gorgol River

Overview

The Gorgol River is one of the key rivers in southern Mauritania, flowing into the Senegal River. The river is an important source of water for agriculture in the Gorgol Valley, which is one of the country’s primary agricultural regions. The Gorgol River’s waters are used for irrigation, particularly for growing crops such as millet, wheat, and vegetables. The river’s seasonal flow is heavily influenced by rainfall in the surrounding regions, and it often experiences fluctuations in its water levels depending on the time of year.

The Gorgol River supports both subsistence and commercial farming, and it is vital for the rural communities living along its banks. The river has been the subject of various irrigation projects aimed at increasing agricultural production in the region. Despite its importance, the Gorgol River faces environmental challenges, including droughts and the over-extraction of water.

Key Information

• Length: Approximately 450 kilometers
• Provinces it passes through: Gorgol, Brakna, Hodh El Gharbi
• Major towns and cities along the river: Kiffa, Selibaby
• Notable features: Supports agriculture in the Gorgol Valley, used for irrigation and fishing

Role in Agriculture and Irrigation

The Gorgol River is essential for agriculture in southern Mauritania, providing the necessary water for crop irrigation in one of the country’s most fertile regions. Its seasonal flooding helps replenish the soil and supports the cultivation of a variety of crops. The river is also crucial for local fishing industries, which provide protein for the population.

3. Chinguetti River

Overview

The Chinguetti River is a small but historically significant river located in the central part of Mauritania. Flowing through the Adrar region, it is famous for its role in sustaining ancient trade routes that connected the Saharan region to sub-Saharan Africa. The river’s waters are primarily used for local irrigation, providing water to the towns of Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the surrounding desert areas.

The Chinguetti River has played a key role in the history of Mauritania, as the town of Chinguetti was once an important center of Islamic learning and trade. While the river’s flow is limited and seasonal, it remains vital for local agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of date palms and other drought-resistant crops. Despite its importance, the river is facing significant water scarcity issues due to increasing desertification and climate change.

Key Information

• Length: Approximately 120 kilometers
• Provinces it passes through: Adrar
• Major towns and cities along the river: Chinguetti, Ouadane
• Notable features: Important for local irrigation and agriculture in the desert, historical significance

Historical and Agricultural Role

The Chinguetti River has historically supported the region’s trade and agriculture, providing water for the cultivation of dates and other crops in an otherwise arid area. It also helped sustain the town of Chinguetti, which was a center of Islamic scholarship and trade for centuries. Today, the river remains essential for the small-scale agriculture of the region, although its flow has diminished over the years due to changing climate patterns.

4. The Akhafir River

Overview

The Akhafir River is a lesser-known river in southern Mauritania that flows through the desert regions of the country. It is primarily used for seasonal flood irrigation in the more arid areas of the country, where water sources are scarce. The river has a relatively short course, and its flow is largely dependent on rainfall in the region. The Akhafir River is crucial for local agriculture, particularly for the cultivation of grains and vegetables, which are grown in small patches of fertile land.

The river’s seasonal flow is vital for sustaining farming communities in the region. However, the river is threatened by the ongoing expansion of the Sahara Desert and the increasing frequency of droughts. The Akhafir River is also a source of water for livestock, which are essential for the pastoralist communities in southern Mauritania.

Key Information

• Length: Approximately 100 kilometers
• Provinces it passes through: Hodh El Gharbi
• Major towns and cities along the river: No major urban centers; small rural communities
• Notable features: Important for seasonal irrigation and livestock water supply in arid areas

Importance for Livestock and Agriculture

The Akhafir River plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of pastoralist communities in southern Mauritania. Its waters are used to irrigate crops and provide water for livestock, which is vital for food security in the region. However, as the river’s flow is highly seasonal, the communities depend on rain-fed agriculture and need to manage water resources carefully to avoid scarcity during dry periods.

5. The Sbaa River

Overview

The Sbaa River, located in the southeastern region of Mauritania, is an intermittent river that flows through the vast desert regions before eventually emptying into the Senegal River. Like many rivers in Mauritania, the Sbaa River is seasonal and often experiences low water levels except during periods of heavy rainfall. The river is particularly important in the context of providing water to the pastoral communities that live in the area.

The Sbaa River is used for irrigation, but due to its irregular flow, it is primarily relied upon during the rainy season. The river passes through areas of sparse vegetation and is often subject to desertification, which affects its ability to sustain agricultural activities year-round. Nevertheless, it provides crucial water resources to farmers and herders in the region.

Key Information

• Length: Approximately 250 kilometers
• Provinces it passes through: Hodh El Gharbi, Assaba
• Major towns and cities along the river: No major towns; used primarily by nomadic communities
• Notable features: Seasonal river used for irrigation and pastoral water supply

Role in Irrigation and Pastoralism

The Sbaa River is essential for local agriculture and pastoralism, providing water during the rainy season for both crops and livestock. It serves as a lifeline for the nomadic and semi-nomadic communities in the southeastern part of Mauritania, allowing them to maintain their livelihoods in an otherwise arid region.

6. The Aftout Es Sahli River

Overview

The Aftout Es Sahli River is a major river in southern Mauritania, flowing through the central and southeastern regions of the country. It is a relatively long river, but like many others in Mauritania, it experiences seasonal fluctuations in flow. The river’s waters are used for irrigation, especially in the cultivation of crops such as millet, sorghum, and vegetables. Its basin is located in a region that experiences both desert and semi-arid conditions, making the river an essential resource for the surrounding communities.

The Aftout Es Sahli River serves as an important water source for livestock, especially in the pastoral areas of southern Mauritania. It also contributes to the food security of the country by supporting small-scale farming in the desert’s outskirts. Despite its significance, the river is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with lower rainfall and reduced flow becoming increasingly common.

Key Information

• Length: Approximately 700 kilometers
• Provinces it passes through: Assaba, Hodh El Gharbi
• Major towns and cities along the river: No major urban centers
• Notable features: Supports irrigation and livestock in semi-arid and desert regions

Importance for Livestock and Crop Cultivation

The Aftout Es Sahli River is vital for the agriculture and pastoralism of southern Mauritania, providing much-needed water for both crops and livestock. The river helps sustain small farming communities and nomadic herders who rely on its seasonal flow to grow food and provide water for animals.

7. The Oued Noun River

Overview

The Oued Noun River is located in southern Morocco, flowing through the Oued Noun region into the Atlantic Ocean. Though the river is technically outside Mauritania’s borders, it is of significant interest to Mauritania due to its proximity to the southern Mauritanian border and the shared economic activities in the region. The Oued Noun River is used for irrigation and has played a role in supporting agriculture in the areas near the border.

The river is seasonal, with varying water levels depending on rainfall. It supports crops such as vegetables and grains in the fertile floodplains, contributing to the agricultural economy of the region. The Oued Noun River is essential for local water supply, though it faces the challenges of desertification and increasing water scarcity.

Key Information

• Length: Approximately 400 kilometers
• Provinces it passes through: Oued Noun (Southern Morocco)
• Major towns and cities along the river: No significant towns in Mauritania; used mainly for irrigation
• Notable features: Seasonal flow, used for irrigation in arid regions

Agricultural and Irrigation Role

The Oued Noun River is vital for irrigation in the southern parts of Morocco and the border regions with Mauritania. It provides water for crops and supports farming in an otherwise arid area. The river’s waters are essential for the local agricultural economy, although its seasonal flow presents challenges during dry periods.