Tshuapa River | |
Map: | File:Tshuapa River DRC.svg |
Pushpin Map: | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Mouth location in the Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Subdivision Type1: | Country |
Subdivision Name1: | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Length: | (navigable) |
Mouth: | Busira River |
River System: | Ruki–Busira |
The Tshuapa River or Rivière Tshwapa is a river in Democratic Republic of the Congo, the main tributary of the Busira River.
The river rises in the south of the Sankuru Nature Reserve and meanders north-northwest to Elinga-Mpango and on to Bondo, from where flows in a west-northwest direction to Boende, above its confluence with the Lomela River to form the Busira River.It is from this point to the Congo River.The town of Boende is from the confluence and from Mbandaka. on the Congo River.
The confluence of the Tshuapa and Lomela rivers is in the heart of the central depression of the Congo Basin.Annual rainfall averages, with no dry season.Throughout parts of the Tshuapa catchment 20–25% of the land is subject to flooding.Permanent swamp forest stretches for along the Tshuapa, with an area of between 20°33'E and 22°00'E.
The Tshuapa has a navigable length of from its confluence with the Lomela up to the terminus at Elinga-Mpango.The section of the river from its mouth up to Ikela, at can be navigated all year round by 350 ton barges, although a few tight bends must be negotiated.From Ikela up to Bondo at it can carry 40 ton barges all year round.There is a rocky bench upstream from Bondo. From Bondo to Elinga-Mpango the river narrows and winds more, and is not navigable all year round.