Benue River
| Benue River | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Countries |
|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Niger River |
• location | Lokoja, Nigeria |
• coordinates | 07°45′12″N 06°45′24″E / 7.75333°N 6.75667°E |
| Length | 1,400 km (870 mi) |
| Basin size | 319,000 km2 (123,000 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Lokoja, Nigeria (near mouth) |
| • average | 3,477 m3/s (122,800 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Mayo-Kébi, Gongola, Pai, Wase, Ankwe, Mada, Okwa |
| • right | Faro, Taraba, Donga, Katsina-Ala |
Benue River (French: la Bénoué), previously known as the Chadda River or Tchadda, is a major tributary of the Niger River. The size of its catchment basin is 319,000 km2 (123,000 sq mi). Almost its entire length of approximately 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) is navigable during the summer months. As a result, it is an important transportation route in the regions through which it flows. The name Benue comes from Binuwe, meaning 'Mother of Waters’ in the Batta language.