Black River (Jamaica)

Rio Negro
Wildlife on the Black River
Map
Location
CountryJamaica
RegionSaint Elizabeth, Jamaica
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates18°11′22″N 77°41′00″W / 18.189553°N 77.683307°W / 18.189553; -77.683307
 • elevation141 m (463 ft)
MouthCaribbean Sea
 • location
Black River (town)
 • coordinates
18°01′18″N 77°50′49″W / 18.021624°N 77.846949°W / 18.021624; -77.846949
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length53.4 km (33.2 mi)
Basin size166 km2 (64 sq mi)
Width 
 • minimum5 metres (16 ft)
 • average50 metres (160 ft)
 • maximum2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
Depth 
 • minimum1 metre (3 ft 3 in)
 • average27 metres (89 ft)
 • maximum92 metres (302 ft)
Discharge 
 • locationBlack River Bay
 • average176 m3/s (6,200 cu ft/s)
 • minimum20 m3/s (710 cu ft/s)
 • maximum4,200 m3/s (150,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River systemDendritic
Tributaries 
 • leftY.S. River
 • right
  • One Eye River
  • Smith River
  • Broad River
  • Braes River
Protection status
Official nameBlack River Lower Morass
Designated7 October 1997
Reference no.919[1]

The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica. At a length of 53.4 km (33.2 mi),[2] it was believed to be the longest until it was discovered that the Rio Minho was 92.8 km long.[3] Its name refers to the darkness of the riverbed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation.

Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass.[3] A 17,769 ha area of the river basin, encompassing much of the Upper and Lower Morass, has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of many Jamaican bird species.[4]

  1. ^ "Black River Lower Morass". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Jamaica Black River, About the River". Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b Jamaica National Heritage Trust - Black River Archived March 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Black River Great Morass". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-12.