Shebelle River
The Shebelle River (Somali: Webi Shabeelle, Amharic: እደላ) begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, and then flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu. Near Mogadishu, it turns sharply southwest, where it follows the coast. Below Mogadishu, the river becomes seasonal. During most years, the river dries up near the mouth of the Jubba River, while in seasons of heavy rainfall, the river actually reaches the Jubba and thus the ocean.
| Shebelle River | |
|---|---|
Map of the Jubba/Shebelle drainage basin | |
| Location | |
| Countries | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Ethiopian Highlands |
| • location | Robe Gerjeda, Ethiopia |
| • coordinates | 7°13′12″N 39°27′59″E |
| • elevation | 2,326 m (7,631 ft) |
| Mouth | Jubba River (occasionally) |
• location | Jamame, Somalia |
• coordinates | 0°09′57″N 42°46′22″E |
• elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Length | 2,714 km (1,686 mi) |
| Basin size | 295,900 km2 (114,200 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 46 m3/a (51 cu ft/Ms) |
The Shebelle river's name is derived from the Somali term Webi Shabeelle, meaning "Leopard River". The Somali administrative regions consisting of Middle Shebelle and Lower Shabeelle are also named after the river.
During periods of heavy rainfall in Ethiopia, the Shebelle River and the Jubba River merge, and their combined waters ultimately reach the Indian Ocean. However, in drier years, the Shebeli River diminishes and transforms into a series of wetlands and sandy plains to the northeast of the confluence with the Jubba River. The Shebeli River has a total length of 1,820 km. The area surrounding the Shebeli River is inhabited by Somalis, Bantu-speaking people, and Oromo communities. In the lower basin of the river, agriculture has largely replaced the traditional nomadic herding lifestyle, and the cultivation of bananas along the southern stretches of the Shebeli and Jubba Rivers contributes significantly to Somalia's export industry.