List of rivers of Sierra Leone facts for kids

Sierra Leone is a beautiful country in West Africa. It has many important rivers that flow through its landscapes. These rivers are like the country's lifelines. They provide water for drinking, farming, and even transportation. They also support a lot of wildlife!

Rivers of Sierra Leone

Rivers are natural flowing watercourses. They usually flow towards an ocean, sea, lake, or another river. In Sierra Leone, almost all rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean. A river system includes a main river and all its smaller streams, called tributaries. Think of it like the branches of a tree all leading to the main trunk.

Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean

The rivers listed here all empty into the vast Atlantic Ocean. They form different drainage basins. A drainage basin is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river system.

Great Scarcies River

The Great Scarcies River is one of the longest rivers in Sierra Leone. It is also known as the Kolenté River. This river forms part of the border between Sierra Leone and Guinea. It is very important for local communities. People use it for fishing and transport.

Little Scarcies River

Close to the Great Scarcies is the Little Scarcies River. It is also called the Kaba River. This river has several smaller rivers that flow into it. These are its tributaries.

• Mabole River
• Mongo River
• Lolo River

Sierra Leone River

The Sierra Leone River is actually an estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea. It is a wide, partly enclosed coastal body of water. Here, fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. The capital city, Freetown, is located on this estuary. It is a very important waterway for ships and trade.

• Rokel River (Seli River) is the longest river in Sierra Leone. It flows into the Sierra Leone River estuary.
• Bankasoka River is another river that joins the estuary. It is sometimes called Port Loko Creek closer to the coast.

Ribi River

The Ribi River is a smaller river that flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean. It is important for the local areas it passes through.

Bumpe River

The Bumpe River is another river that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It helps drain water from its surrounding areas.

Kagboro Creek

Kagboro Creek is a coastal waterway. It is part of the network of rivers and creeks near the coast.

Sherbro River

The Sherbro River is a large estuary and a network of waterways. It is located near Sherbro Island. This area is known for its beautiful coastal landscapes.

• Bagru River is a tributary of the Sherbro River system.
• Jong River (Taia River) is a major river that flows into the Sherbro River. It has its own tributaries:
  • Pampana River
  • Teye River

Kittam River

The Kittam River is another significant river system in the south of Sierra Leone. It has several important tributaries.

• Sewa River is one of the largest rivers in Sierra Leone. It is known for its diamond mining areas. Its tributaries include:
  • Bagbe River
  • Bafi River
• Waanje River also flows into the Kittam River system.

Moa River

The Moa River is a major river in the eastern part of Sierra Leone. It flows through diverse landscapes. It is important for the communities living along its banks.

• Meli River is a tributary of the Moa River.

Mano River

The Mano River forms part of the international border between Sierra Leone and Liberia. It is a very important river for both countries. It helps define the natural boundary.

• Mahoi River is a tributary of the Mano River.
• Moro River is another tributary that flows into the Mano River.

These rivers are vital for the people and nature of Sierra Leone. They support fishing, farming, and provide homes for many animals. Protecting these rivers is important for the future of the country.