Pangani River

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Pangani River
Pangani River in Bushiri Ward.jpg
Pangani River in Bushiri ward.
Panganirivermap.png
Map of River Pangani
Native nameMto Pangani (Swahili)
Location
CountryFlag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania
Region Tanga Region, Arusha Region, Manyara Region, Kilimanjaro Region
District Arusha District Council, Meru District, Arusha City Council, Hai District, Moshi District, Mwanga District, Same District, Korogwe District, Korogwe Town, Muheza District, Pangani District,
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • location Arusha District, Arusha Region
Mouth  
 • location
 Indian Ocean at the town of Pangani, Pangani District, Tanga Region
Length500km
Basin size43,650 km2 (16,850 sq mi) [1]
Discharge 
 • average27 m3/s (950 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • left Mkomazi; Luengera
 • rightLumoromo; Fukda; Mkalami
Pangani Hydro Electric Scheme The National Archives UK - CO 1069-157-47.jpg
Pangani Hydro Electric Scheme

The Pangani River (Mto Pangani, in Swahili), (also called Luffu and Jipe Ruvu, especially in older sources, and probably once called Rhaptus) is a major river of northeastern Tanzania. It has two main sources: [2] the Ruvu, which rises as Lumi at Kilimanjaro, passes through Lake Jipe, and empties into the Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir, and the Kikuletwa River, coming from the west and mainly fed by rivers of Mount Meru in Arusha Region, which also enters into the Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir in Kilimanjaro Region. Just after leaving the reservoir the stream becomes the main Pangani, which empties into the Indian Ocean in Tanga Region at the Tangan port town of Pangani. [3]

Contents

For much of its length the river flows along the regional borders of Kilimanjaro Region and Manyara Region, before flowing into Tanga Region, which contains the 68 MW Pangani Power Station and the Pangani Falls Dam. There are several inhabited islands within the river. The river is full of crocodiles; hippopotami are scarcer in its lower parts.

Etymology

A main source of Pangani originates on Kilimanjaro, where it is the River Lumi. Lake Jipe may be considered a backwater of the Lumi. [4] Below Lake Jipe and above the falls, the river is referred to as "Ruvu". [5]

Formerly the main course towards the sea was alternatively called "Ruvu" and "Pangani". [6] Nowadays that has been settled as "Pangani" from the Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir to the Ocean. While the Swahili call it "Pangani" (meaning distribute or arrange), [7] it is called "Luffu" by the Wasambara (indigenous to the Nderema area, on the three ridges nearer the coast) and the Zigua (who live on the river's islands). [3] [5] Almost all authorities agree that the river "Rhaptus" of Ptolemy's topographical maps is the Pangani of modern maps. [8]

Geography

The Pangani is 500 kilometres (310 mi) in length. [9]

Source

One source of the river rises in Kilimanjaro, about 120 miles (190 km) from the sea. Known as the Lumi in this area, its course runs through Lake Jipe. The other is at Mount Meru in the west and is known as the Kikuletwa. Like all African rivers, its depth varies with the season. The river is highest around May and lowest around October. Another source is the Saunyi River in Kilindi District.

Pangani River through Bushiri ward of Pangani District Bushiri Pangani District.jpg
Pangani River through Bushiri ward of Pangani District
Midsection

It is navigable for small craft between the lake and the Höhnel Cataracts, a series of rapids. [10] Below the Höhnel Cataracts, it has numerous tributaries, and many islands with villages on them. The stream is strongest above Koleni, within 5 miles of the Pangani Falls, where the river is narrow. This section is not navigable for any considerable distance on account of the falls, which are about 30 miles (48 km) from the mouth. Approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) from the mouth, dense mangrove swamp covers the flatland between the hills on either side. In this area, near Teufelsfelsen, are higher land, a fertile area, and the arid Masai Steppe. [9] On this bank is Mount Kovu Kovu, 360 feet (110 m) in height, while on the south bank is a ridge 400 feet (120 m) high. Pombwe, one of the principal settlements on the river, is situated about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Kovu Kovu. Above Pombwe, the West African oil palm grows, while below Pombwe, the trees are chiefly areca and coconut palms. [11] The village of Lemkuna and the hamlet of Ngage are on the river's west bank, while Mvungwe and Meserani are on its eastern bank. [12]

Mouth

The mouth is located 52 kilometres (32 mi) south of Tanga. [7] The river is tidal for a distance of 22 miles (35 km) from the entrance. [11] The southern side of the entrance is marked by a perpendicular bluff named Bweni, about 200 feet (61 m) high; there is a village of the same name, Bweni, situated here. The northern side of the entrance is a flat sandy beach that extends from the head of the bay. There are several settlements at the entrance, two on the northern and two on the southern bank. Historically, the town of Pangani, on the river's left bank, had a reputation for fevers. [13] At its estuary, by Pangani town, the river is about 600 feet (180 m) in breadth, and 12–15 feet (3.7–4.6 m) deep.

Tributaries

Several tributaries coming from the Pare Mountains, the Usambara Mountains and the Wasegiia wilderness join the Pangani in its course. These include the Kibaya, Komkuza, Kwachigulu, Kwamwadyau and Mnyusi. [14]

Hydrometry

Average monthly flow of Pangani measured at the hydrological station in Korogwe Estate, about 110 km above the mouth in m³ / s (1959–77). [15] The Pangani flows stimulate time-dependent, like most rivers in the region.

Pangani River

Pangani Basin

The Pangani Basin (PB) is one of Tanzania's nine drainage basins. Extending from the northern highlands to Tanzania's north-eastern coastline, the PB is approximately 56,300 square kilometres (21,700 sq mi) in size, of which 4,880 square kilometres (1,880 sq mi) is within Kenya. [16] Five sub-basins comprise the basin: the Pangani River (43,650 square kilometres (16,850 sq mi)), the Umba River (8,070 square kilometres (3,120 sq mi)), the Msangazi River (5,030 square kilometres (1,940 sq mi)), the Zigi River, and the Mkulumuzi River plus other coastal rivers (2,080 square kilometres (800 sq mi)). [17] All of these empty into the Indian Ocean. [18]

The Pangani Basin Water Board (PBWB) was established in July 1991 under the Water Utilization (Control and Regulation) Act No. 42 of 1974. Its headquarters is in the Moshi municipality in the Kilimanjaro Region. Its other two offices are in Arusha and Tanga. [18] The PBWB consists of ten professionals from public institutions and private sector LGAs, UWSAs, and other committees.[ citation needed ]

The river system is under pressure because of conflicting water uses and major overallocations of its water. Many farmers rely on the river for irrigation. Damming projects along the river have reduced the river's flow from several hundred cubic metres per second to less than 40 cubic metres per second (1,400 cu ft/s). This has affected coastal communities, which have seen large reductions in fish populations and saltwater intrusion [19] In 2002, the Pangani River Basin Management Project was established to manage the basin's water resources. It receives technical assistance from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, the GIZ German Development Organisation and the local non-governmental organization PAMOJA. [19] The project also receives funds from the government of Tanzania, IUCN, the European Commission, and the Global Environment Facility through the United Nations Development Programme. [19]

Commerce

There is a good deal of trade here, dhows loading and unloading on the river. Produce is brought down the river, principally on rafts made of the Moale palm, which are then broken up and become articles of commerce. In 1878, the most common crop cultivated on the river's banks was reported to be sugar. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Tanzania</span>

Tanzania comprises many lakes, national parks, and Africa's highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro. Northeast Tanzania is mountainous, while the central area is part of a large plateau covered in grasslands. The country also contains the southern portion of Lake Victoria on its northern border with Uganda and Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanga Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Tanga Region is one of Tanzania's 31 administrative regions. The region covers an area of 26,667 km2 (10,296 sq mi). The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of Burundi. The regional capital is the municipality of Tanga city. Located in northeast Tanzania, the region is bordered by Kenya and Kilimanjaro Region to the north; Manyara Region to the west; and Morogoro and Pwani Regions to the south. It has a coastline to the east with the Indian Ocean. According to the 2012 national census, the region had a population of 2,045,205.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Usambara Mountains</span>

The Usambara Mountains of northeastern Tanzania in tropical East Africa, comprise the easternmost ranges of the Eastern Arc Mountains. The ranges of approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) long and about half that wide, are situated in the Lushoto District of the Tanga Region. They were formed nearly two million years ago by faulting and uplifting, and are composed of Precambrian metamorphic rocks. They are split into two sub-ranges; the West Usambaras being higher than the East Usambaras, which are nearer the coast and receive more rainfall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyumba ya Mungu Dam</span> Dam in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Nyumba ya Mungu Dam is a Tanzanian, hydroelectric dam located in and operated in Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region. It was built in the late 1960s and is Kilimanjaro region's largest artificial water body. Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir. The reservoir is shared with Moshi District of Kilimanjaro Region and Simanjiro District of Manyara Region. Nyumba ya Mungu means 'House of God'. Its installed capacity is 8 megawatts (11,000 hp).

Hale Dam is a hydroelectric dam in Tanzania, located in the town of Hale in Mnyuzi ward of Korogwe District of Tanga Region. Its installed capacity is 21 megawatts (28,000 hp). Thousands of people were displaced to build the dam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanga City Council, Tanga</span> District of Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania

Tanga District, officially the, Tanga City Council is one of eleven administrative districts of Tanga Region in Tanzania. The District covers an area of 596.5 km2 (230.3 sq mi). Tanga district is bordered to the north by Mkinga District, to the east by the Indian Ocean, to the south and west by Muheza District. The district is comparable in size to the land area of Guam. The administrative seat is the ward Central. The district is the administrative and economic center of Tanga Region. In Swahili, the word Tanga means "sail". According to the 2012 census, the district has a total population of 273,332.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korogwe District, Tanga</span> District of Tanga Region, Tanzania

Korogwe District also known as Korogwe District Council is one of the eleven districts of Tanga Region in Tanzania. The District covers an area of 6,534 km2 (2,523 sq mi). It is bordered to the northeast by the Lushoto District and north by Bumbuli District. Korogwe District also bordered to the east by the Mkinga District and the Muheza District, to the South by the Handeni Rural District and the Korogwe Urban District, and to the West by the Kilimanjaro Region. The highest point in Korogwe District is Mafi Peak at 1,442m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Tanzania</span>

Tanzania contains some 20 percent of the species of Africa's large mammal population, found across its reserves, conservation areas, marine parks, and 17 national parks, spread over an area of more than 42,000 square kilometres (16,000 sq mi) and forming approximately 38 percent of the country's territory. Wildlife resources of Tanzania are described as "without parallel in Africa" and "the prime game viewing country". Serengeti National Park, the country's second largest national park area at 14,763 square kilometres (5,700 sq mi), is located in northern Tanzania and is famous for its extensive migratory herds of wildebeests and zebra while also having the reputation as one of the great natural wonders of the world. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, established in 1959, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and inhabited by the Maasai people. Its Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Ambussel</span> Lake in Lossogonoi Plateau in Tanzania

Lake Ambussel is a lake on the Lossogonoi Plateau in Tanzania. Along with Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir, Lake Chala and Lake Jipe, it is one of four waterbodies in the Pangani basin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Jipe</span> Lake in Kilimajaro Region, Tanzania and Kenya.

Lake Jipe is an inter-territorial lake straddling the borders of Kenya and Tanzania. On the Kenyan side, it is located south of the village of Nghonji while on the Tanzanian side, it is situated within Mwanga District, in Kilimanjaro Region. The lake is fed mainly by the Lumi River, which descends from Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as streams from the North Pare Mountains, being on the leeward side. The lake's outlet forms the Ruvu River. Kenya's unfenced Tsavo West National Park protects part of the lake's northern shore, while on the Tanzania side Mkomazi Game Reserve is nearby. The lake is known for its endemic fish, as well as water birds, mammals, wetland plants and lake-edge swamps, which can extend 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Jipe's shore.

The River Lumi is located in Rombo District, Kilimanjaro in northereast Tanzania and a small part in southern Kenya in Coast Province. It originates on the east side of Mawenzi peak on the east side of, and flows so close to the River Rombo as almost to form a fork. The Lumi, however, maintains its southerly direction, and may thus be said to represent the upper course of the Ruvu, one of tho two main sources of the Pangani River. It flows around the Lake Chala and the Taveta town in the west and empties into the Lake Jipe. The fish species Barbus sp. 'Pangani' has only been found in the river's N'joro Springs, situated in the upper Pangani River drainage basin.

Kahe is a group of wards in Moshi Rural District, Kilimanjaro Region, northeastern Tanzania. It is located 23 kilometres (14 mi) southeast of Moshi, north of the Nyumba ya Mungu Dam, and a few kilometers from the border with Kenya. There are 11 towns, including Oria Village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ugweno</span>

Ugweno is located within the Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, Africa. It is situated at 3° 39' 0" South and 37° 39' 0" East in the Pare Mountains. The people who live in Ugweno are known as Wagweno and their common language is Kigweno.

The Karanga River is a river that passes through the Karanga Ward of the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. Its source is at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro from which it flows southwards to the Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir.

Bweni is an administrative ward in Pangani District of Tanga Region in Tanzania. The ward covers an area of 20.6 km2 (8.0 sq mi), and has an average elevation of 33 m (108 ft). According to the 2012 census, the ward has a total population of 1,263.

Kisangara River(Mto Kisangara in Swahili) is located in the central Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. It begins in North Pare Mountains in Mwanga District and drains in the Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir on the border with Simanjiro District in Manyara Region.

Kikuletwa River is located in the northern Kilimanjaro Region, Manyara Region and eastern Arusha Region of Tanzania. It begins in Songoro ward in Meru District, Arusha and eventually drains into Pangani River at Nyumba ya Mungu Dam. The Kikuletwa hot springs also drain into the river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruvu Jipe River</span> River in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Ruvu Jipe River, also known as Luffu and Jipe Ruvu and Ruvu Pangani, is located in northern Kilimanjaro Region's Mwanga District of Tanzania. It begins in Kileo ward at Lake Jipe and eventually drains into Nyumba ya Mungu Dam and into Pangani River at Lang'ata ward.

References

  1. ↑ Pangani basin: a situation analysis. 2003. ISBN   9782831707600 . Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Entry "Pangani" in the German Koloniallexikon
  3. 1 2 THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCER (Now in the public domain. ed.). 1852. pp. 93–. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Meyer, Hans (1891). Across East African glaciers: an account of the first ascent of Kilimanjaro. G. Philip & son. pp.  321–. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  5. 1 2 New, Charles (1875). "Journey from the Pangani, via Wadigo, to Mombasa". Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London. 19 (5): 317–323. doi:10.2307/1799979. JSTOR   1799979.
  6. ↑ cf the map Sheet SB 37/2, Series Y401, by War Office 1946 of 1946 and this map from 1960 Sheet SB-37-2 Series Y503, Edition 1-TSD, Published by the Survey Division, Ministry of Lands, Survey and Water, Tanganyika 1960, both showing "Pangani or Ruvu River" as name
  7. 1 2 Hodd, Michael (22 March 2002). East Africa handbook. pp. 383–. ISBN   978-1-900949-65-1 . Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  8. ↑ Royal Geographical Society (Great Britain) (1891). Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society and monthly record of geography (Now in the public domain. ed.). Edward Stanford. pp. 524–. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Pangani Basin". IWMNet. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  10. ↑ Lewin, Evans (1924). Africa (Now in the public domain. ed.). Clarendon press. p. 108. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  11. 1 2 United States. Hydrographic Office (1916). Africa Pilot: South and east coasts of Africa from Cape of Good Hope to Ras Hafun (Now in the public domain. ed.). Hydrographic office under the authority of the secretary of the navy. pp.  392–. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  12. ↑ Catchment ecosystems and downstream water : the value of water resources in the Pangani basin, Tanzania. IUCN. pp. 34–. ISBN   978-955-8177-49-5 . Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  13. 1 2 Great Britain. Hydrographic Office (1878). Africa pilot: South and east coasts of Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Guardafui, including the islands in Mozambique Channel (Now in the public domain ed.). Printed for the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty. pp.  327, 328–. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  14. ↑ Journal of tropical medicine and hygiene. Staples and Staples, Ltd. 1959. p. 40. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  15. ↑ GRDC - The Pangani in Korogwe
  16. ↑ Bhatt, Yogesh Chandra; Bossio, Deborah; Enfors, E.; Gordon, L.; Kongo, V.; Kosgei, J. R.; Makurira, H.; Masuki, K.; Mul, M.; Tumbo, S. D. (2006). Smallholder system innovations in integrated watershed management (SSI): Strategies of water for food and environmental security in drought-prone tropical and subtropical agro-ecosystems. International Water Management Institute. p. 10. ISBN   978-92-9090-634-6 . Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  17. ↑ "Pangani Basin Water Board". Mini Grids Information Portal. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Pangani Basin". Pangani Basin Water Board. Archived from the original on 2011-10-21. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  19. 1 2 3 "Pangani River Basin". International Union for Conservation of Nature . Retrieved 1 July 2018.

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