List of rivers of Ethiopia facts for kids

Map of Ethiopia showing some of the main rivers

Ethiopia is a country in Africa with many important rivers and streams. These waterways are super important for people, animals, and plants. They provide water for drinking, farming, and even making electricity! This article will tell you about the main rivers in Ethiopia and where their waters end up.

Rivers Flowing to the Mediterranean Sea

Some of Ethiopia's rivers flow all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. They join bigger rivers like the Nile, which then carries their water to the sea.

The Atbarah River

A map of the Atbara River drainage basin

The Atbarah River is a major river that starts in Ethiopia. It flows into the Nile River in Sudan. The Atbarah is sometimes called the "Blue Nile's sister" because it also carries a lot of water and rich soil during the rainy season.

• Mareb River (also called Gash River): This river usually only reaches the Atbarah when there are big floods.
• Tekezé River (or Takkaze): This is a very important river in northern Ethiopia. It forms part of the border with Eritrea.
  • Zarima River
  • Giba River: This river has many smaller streams that feed into it, like the Tanqwa and May Zegzeg.
• Angereb River: This river also joins the Atbarah.
• Shinfa River

The Blue Nile (Abay River)

A map of the Abbay River drainage basin

The Blue Nile is one of the two main rivers that form the famous Nile River. In Ethiopia, it's known as the Abay River. It starts from Lake Tana and flows through deep canyons. This river is super important for Ethiopia and other countries it passes through.

• Rahad River
• Dinder River
• Beles River
• Dabus River
• Didessa River
• Guder River
• Muger River
• Jamma River: This river has its own branches, like the Wanchet River and Robe River.
• Bashilo River
• Lake Tana: This is the largest lake in Ethiopia. Many rivers flow into it, and the Blue Nile flows out of it.
  • Gilgel Abay: This is often considered the true source of the Blue Nile.
  • Magech River
  • Reb River
  • Gumara River

The Sobat River

A map of the Sobat River drainage basin

The Sobat River is another big river that starts in Ethiopia and flows into the White Nile in South Sudan. It's formed by the joining of the Baro and Pibor rivers.

• Baro River: This river is a major branch of the Sobat.
  • Jikawo River
  • Alero River
  • Birbir River
  • Gebba River
• Pibor River: This river also contributes to the Sobat.
  • Gilo River
  • Akobo River

Rivers Flowing to the Indian Ocean

Some rivers in Ethiopia flow towards the Indian Ocean. They usually join bigger rivers that eventually reach the sea.

A map of the Jubba River and Shebelle River drainage basin

The Jubba River

The Jubba River is a long river that flows through Ethiopia and Somalia. It's formed by the meeting of the Ganale Dorya and Dawa rivers.

• Shebelle River: This river is very important for farming in Somalia. Sometimes, it doesn't reach the Jubba River because its water is used up or it dries out.
  • Fafen River: This river only reaches the Shebelle during floods.
  • Jerer River
  • Erer River
• Ganale Dorya River: This is one of the main rivers that form the Jubba.
  • Mena River
  • Weyib River (or Gestro River)
• Dawa River: This is the other main river that forms the Jubba.

Rivers Flowing into Endorheic Basins

Some rivers in Ethiopia flow into "endorheic basins." This means they don't reach the ocean. Instead, they flow into lakes or dry up in deserts.

Afar Depression

A map of the Awash River

The Afar Depression is a hot, dry area. Rivers here often end in lakes that have no outlet to the sea.

• Awash River: This is a very important river in Ethiopia. It flows into a chain of lakes in the Afar Depression.
  • Logiya River
  • Mille River
  • Borkana River
  • Kabenna River
  • Mojo River
  • Akaki River
• Dechatu River

Lake Ziway

Lake Ziway is one of the freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley.

• Meki River
• Katar River

Lake Turkana

A map of the Omo River

Lake Turkana is a large desert lake on the border of Ethiopia and Kenya.

• Kibish River
• Omo River: This is a very big river in southern Ethiopia. It flows into Lake Turkana.
  • Usno River
  • Mui River
  • Gojeb River
  • Gibe River: This river has its own important branches like the Gilgel Gibe River.
  • Wabe River

Lake Abaya

Lake Abaya is another lake in the Great Rift Valley.

• Bilate River
• Gidabo River

Lake Chew Bahir

Lake Chew Bahir is a smaller, often salty lake.

• Weito River
  • Sagan River

Images for kids

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  A friendly robot

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Ríos de Etiopía para niños