Nairobi River
| Nairobi River | |
|---|---|
 Nairobi river at the CBD | |
  Location of mouth | |
| Location | |
| Country | Kenya |
TheNairobi Riveris a river that flows acrossNairobi,the capital city ofKenya.It is the main river of the Nairobi River Basin, with several parallel streams flowing eastward. All of the Nairobi basin rivers join east of Nairobi and meet theAthi River,which eventually flows into theIndian Ocean.The rivers are mostly narrow and highly polluted,[1]though recent efforts to clean the rivers have improved water quality.[2]
The main stream, the Nairobi River, bounds the northern city center, where it is partlycanalized.
Tributaries[edit]
The Nairobi River originates from theOndiri SwampinKikuyu.[3]The Nairobi River has severaltributaries:[4][better source needed]
- Athi River
- Gathara-ini River
- Gitathuru River
- Kiu River
- Mathari River
- Mbagathi River
- Nairobi River
- Ngong River
- RuiRuaka River
The Motoine River flows toNairobi Dam,anartificial lakemeant to provide potable water to the residents of Nairobi. The stream continues as the Ngong River.
Gatharaini[5]stream originates in the marshes of the lower reaches of theAberdare mountainsand flows through various populated areas. The stream is impacted by human activities along its channels and in its catchment. In the upper sections of Kiambaa and Kanunga, the stream passes through swampy and marshy areas, with subsistence agriculture and human settlement as the main types of land use. In the midsections of Kiambu, are extensive coffee crops andmixed farming.
In Eastern Nairobi it passes through Nairobi Sewerage Company in Ngundu,Kamulu
In the lower sections of Githurai and Zimmerman, the stream is characterized by coffee farming, intensive mixed farming, and industry such as the Kamiti Tannery Factory. The lower stream waters are brackish and foul. In the past, riverinesubsistence agricultureofarrowrootsandkalewas common throughout the area.[citation needed]Efforts to conserve and preserve this river are yet to be initiated.
Nairobi's rivers are contaminated due to agriculture, slums, and industry.[6][7]Duringrainy seasons,rivers on the low-lying riverbanks flood.
Kenya has a second river named Nairobi that starts onMount Kenyaand is a tributary of the Sagana andTana,the country's longest river.[8]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Ndiritu, G. G., N. N. Gichuki, P. Kaur, and L. Triest. 2003. The Nairobi river is mainly used by local citizens for bathing, washing clothes, and cleaning their homes. Characterization of environmental gradients using physicochemical measurements and diatom densities in Nairobi River, Kenya. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 6 (3): 343-354.
- ^"Nairobi River Basin"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2016-03-04.Retrieved2015-05-13.
- ^Obura, Fredrick."Increased human activities threaten source of Nairobi River - Smart Harvest".www.farmers.co.ke.Retrieved2020-05-29.
- ^Galimo Askumo (27 May 2017)."A Guide to Nairobi's Rivers and Streams".
- ^Ndaruga, A. M., G. G. Ndiritu, N. N. Gichuki and W. N. Wamicha.N. 2004. The impact of water quality changes on riverine macroinvertebrate assemblages along a tropical stream,Kenya.African Journal of Ecology 42: 208-216
- ^Biosafety News, October/November 2002
- ^Ndiritu, G. G., N. N. Gichuki and L. Triest. 2006. Distribution of epilithic diatoms in response to environmental conditions in an urban tropical stream, Central Kenya. Biodiversity and conservation 15:3267-3293
- ^Rough Guide Map Kenya(Map) (9 ed.). 1:900,000. Rough Guide Map. Cartography by World Mapping Project. Rough Guide. 2006.ISBN1-84353-359-6.
External links[edit]
- River basinMapArchived2007-10-11 at theWayback Machine
- Wikimapia Nairobi Dam
