Betsiboka River

Betsiboka River
Rapids in the Betsiboka River
Map of Malagasy rivers (Betsiboka flows from the center to the northwestern coast).
Location
CountryMadagascar
RegionBoeny
CityMahajanga, Ambato-Boeny
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationConfluence of Jabo and Amparihibe
 • coordinates18°21′33″S 47°29′12″E / 18.35917°S 47.48667°E / -18.35917; 47.48667
 • elevation939 m (3,081 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Bombetoka Bay, Mozambique Channel
 • coordinates
15°48′55″S 46°16′13″E / 15.81528°S 46.27028°E / -15.81528; 46.27028
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length525 km (326 mi) to 605 km (376 mi)[1]
Basin size49,000 km2 (19,000 sq mi)[1]
Discharge 
 • locationBetsiboka Delta
 • average(Period: 1971–2000)1,407.1 m3/s (49,690 cu ft/s)[2]
 • minimum400 m3/s (14,000 cu ft/s)[1]
 • maximum4,500 m3/s (160,000 cu ft/s)[1]
Basin features
River systemBetsiboka River
Tributaries 
 • leftJano, Ikopa, Iabohazo
 • rightAmparihibe, Saharanotra, Mananara, Mananta, Isinko, Kamoro

Betsiboka River is a 525-kilometre (326 mi) long river in central-north Madagascar. It flows northwestward and empties to Bombetoka Bay, forming a large delta. It originates to the east of Antananarivo. The river is surrounded in mangroves.[3] The river is distinctive for its red-coloured water, which is caused by river sediments. The river carries an enormous amount of reddish-orange silt to the sea. Much of this silt is deposited at the mouth of the river or in the bay.

It is dramatic evidence of the catastrophic erosion of northwestern Madagascar.[4] Removal of the native forest for cultivation and pastureland during the past 50 years has led to massive annual soil losses approaching 250 metric tonnes per hectare (112 tons per acre) in some regions of the island, the largest amount recorded anywhere in the world. Several fish species are endemic to the river basin, including the three cichlids Paretroplus petiti, P. tsimoly and P. maculatus.

The Betsiboka's largest tributary, the Ikopa River, drains the capital city of Antananarivo.

  • Betsiboka River estuary seen from space
    Betsiboka River estuary seen from space
  • The Betsiboka River in normal conditions
    The Betsiboka River in normal conditions
  • The Betsiboka River when flooded
    The Betsiboka River when flooded
  1. ^ a b c d Tsilavo, Raharimahefa; Timothy, M. Kusky (2010). "Environmental monitoring of Bombetoka Bay and the Betsiboka Estuary, Madagascar, using multi-temporal satellite data". Journal of Earth Science. 21: 210–226. doi:10.1007/s12583-010-0019-y.
  2. ^ "Madagascar".
  3. ^ Bradt, Hilary (17 May 2011). Madagascar: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 82. ISBN 978-1-84162-341-2. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  4. ^ Tsilavo Raharimahefa and Timothy M. Kusky (2010). "Environmental monitoring of Bombetoka bay and the Betsiboka estuary, Madagascar, using multi-temporal satellite data". Archived from the original on 2012-12-09.