Sobat River

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Sobat River
Sobat.jpg
Sobat River from air
Location
Country South Sudan
State Upper Nile (state)
Physical characteristics
SourcePibor River and Baro River confluence
  location Jonglei, South Sudan
  coordinates 8°26′10″N33°13′7″E / 8.43611°N 33.21861°E / 8.43611; 33.21861
Mouth White Nile
  location
Upper Nile (state), South Sudan
  coordinates
9°22′2″N31°32′57″E / 9.36722°N 31.54917°E / 9.36722; 31.54917 Coordinates: 9°22′2″N31°32′57″E / 9.36722°N 31.54917°E / 9.36722; 31.54917
Length354 km (220 mi) [1]
Basin size225,000 km2 (87,000 sq mi)
Discharge 
  locationHillet Doleib
  average412 m3/s (14,500 cu ft/s)
  minimum99 m3/s (3,500 cu ft/s)
  maximum680 m3/s (24,000 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
  location mouth
  average437 m3/s (15,400 cu ft/s)
Sobat River basin Sobat OSM.png
Sobat River basin

The Sobat River is a river of the Greater Upper Nile region in northeastern South Sudan, Africa. It is the most southerly of the great eastern tributaries of the White Nile, before the confluence with the Blue Nile.

Contents

Geography

The Sobat River is formed by the confluence of the west-flowing Baro River and the north-flowing Pibor River, on the border with Ethiopia. The river enters the White Nile at Doleib Hill, near the city of Malakal in Upper Nile State.

When in flood the Sobat River produces an enormous discharge carrying a white sediment, which gives the White Nile its name. [1]

Hydrology

The Sobat and its tributaries drain a watershed approximately 225,000 km2 (87,000 sq mi) in size. The river's mean annual discharge is 412 m³/s (14,550 ft³/s). [2]

See also

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The Akobo River is a river on the border between South Sudan and Ethiopia. From its source in the Ethiopian Highlands near Mizan Teferi it flows west for 434 kilometres (270 mi) to join the Pibor River. The Pibor flows into the Sobat River, which in turn empties into the White Nile.

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Ngok Lual Yak is an African sub-tribe, within the Jiëŋ (Dinka) group. They are mainly found in Malakal, South Sudan and inhabit the land along the confluences of the Nile and Sobat rivers. It is believed that the sub-tribe numbers about 95,000. They are devoted ethnics and believe in Deŋdit as their provider. Some of Ngok sections are part of Bor Community and sections who identifies themselves as descendants of Ngok could still be traced!

References

  1. 1 2 "Sobat River". Encyclopædia Britannica Online Library Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2008-01-21.(registration required)
  2. Shahin, Mamdouh (2002). Hydrology and Water Resources of Africa. Springer. pp. 276, 288. ISBN   1-4020-0866-X.; online at Google Books