{"id":14140,"date":"2024-02-09T02:55:59","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T01:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=14140"},"modified":"2024-02-09T02:55:59","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T01:55:59","slug":"where-does-the-nile-river-get-its-water-from","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/where-does-the-nile-river-get-its-water-from\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Does The Nile River Get Its Water From"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Nile River is the longest river in the world and it is estimated to flow for over 4145 miles. It is arguably one of the most significant natural resources of all time. Nevertheless, the source of its waters remains shrouded in mystery and is the subject of much debate among experts. To better understand this perennial mystery, it is important to explore the different theories behind where the Nile gets its water from.<\/p>\n

Lake Victoria<\/strong> is the first theory proposed for where the Nile River gets its water from and is often referred to as the “source” of the river. It is the largest lake in Africa, located in the south of the continent, and is fed mainly by the Victoria Nile, with additional water added by more than 30 small rivers. The lake provides almost 70% of the total water that flows in the Nile River and is considered to be the largest “true” source. <\/p>\n

Some scientists also point to Ethiopia <\/strong> as the source of the Nile, as it is the source of two tributaries, the Blue Nile and the Atbara, which contribute about 90 percent of the Nile’s annual flow. The Ethiopian Plateau is the source of the most important of these, the Blue Nile, which contributes around 72 percent of the Nile’s total water. <\/p>\n

In addition to those previously mentioned, other sources of Nile water may include smaller lakes and even groundwater, found in the aquifers of East Africa. A study published in 2017 in the journal Hydrology Earth System Science suggests that groundwater could supply up to 16 percent of the water carried by the Nile. <\/p>\n