- Address: Barch Dar, Ethiopia
One of the most full and famous water systems of the African continent and the whole world - the Nile River - originates from two tributaries: the White and Blue Nile, and then flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The mythology of Ancient Egypt glorified the Nile for many centuries to come. But every inflow of a great river has its own history and is very important for the land along which it flows.
Geography of the Blue Nile
The right tributary of the Nile (Nile) - the Blue Nile River - has a total length of 1,783 km and originates in the Ethiopian (Abyssinian) Highlands in the Chokeh Mountains and from the waters of Lake Tana. About 800 km of the Blue Nile flows through the territory of Ethiopia , then to the confluence with the White Nile on the territory of the State of Sudan. The lake runoff at 1830 m above sea level is regulated by a local dam, on which a hydroelectric power station is built.
Within the boundaries of Ethiopia, the Blue Nile by the local population is referred to as the Abbay River. Even in our days, in the 21st century, the right tributary of the Nile, as before, is considered a sacred channel, originating in Paradise (Eden). On the days of state and religious festivals and festivals, the Blue Nile receives offerings from residents of coastal settlements in the form of bread and other food products.
The Blue Nile has its own tributaries - Rahad and Dinder. The main food of the whole river is rain.
Description of the Blue Nile
The right tributary of the Nile from its source quickly gaining power and up to 580 km is a navigable river. The first 500 km of the channel flow through the ancient canyon, the depth of which varies from 900 to 1200 m. Here you can see rapid rapids and beautiful waterfalls. The width of the waterway in the canyon is 100-200 m. The waters of the lower reaches of the Blue Nile are actively used for agriculture, irrigation of cotton and water supply of the population.
During the heavy rain season, the Blue Nile is more than 60% of the runoff, and according to some reports - about 75% of the entire Nile. Its approximate water flow is 2350 cubic meters. m per second. But in the dry season the river is very shallow. In 2011, the Ethiopian authorities began financing a giant structure - the Great Ethiopian Dam "Revival". The project should be installed 15 radial-axial hydrounits with a total capacity of 5250 MW.
What is interesting about the Blue Nile?
Leaving Ethiopia, the Blue Nile crosses the territory of Sudan, whose inhabitants call it in their own way: the Bahr al-Azraq river. However, the literal translation from Arabic is the "blue sea". But in the Amharic language, which most Ethiopians speak, the Blue Nile is referred to only as a "black river".
In the suburbs of the city of Er-Rosérez, many tourists make special memorable photos of the Blue Nile River: one of the largest reservoirs in the Sudan is built here. Another hydropower plant is installed on the river in the city of Sennar. Further along the river is already near the capital city of Khartoum and the famous Nile appears: here is the point of the confluence of two tributaries: the Blue Nile and the White.
How to get there?
The origins of the Blue Nile can be accessed as part of an excursion to Lake Tana or by car independently. The influx of the Great Nile takes its beginning near the city of Barh Dar , from where it is possible to get to the Tana reservoir by taxi and even on foot.
Experienced tourists recommend taking care of comfortable shoes and appropriate clothes.