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Black River (Jamaica): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 18°01′18″N 77°50′49″W / 18.021624°N 77.846949°W / 18.021624; -77.846949
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{{short description|River in Jamaica}}
{{For|the town in Jamaica|Black River, Jamaica}}
{{For|the town in Jamaica|Black River, Jamaica}}
{{Infobox river
{{Geobox|River
| name = Rio Negro
<!-- *** Heading *** -->
| native_name =
| name = Black River
| name_other =
<!-- *** Names **** -->
| name_etymology =
| etymology =
<!-- *** Image *** -->
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image = Wildlife on Black River, Jamaica.JPG
| image = Wildlife on Black River, Jamaica.JPG
| image_caption = Wildlife on the Black River
| image_size =
| image_caption = Wildlife on the Black River
| map =
<!-- *** Country *** -->
| map_size =
| country = Jamaica
| map_caption =
| region = [[Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica|Saint Elizabeth]]
| pushpin_map =
<!-- *** Family *** -->
| pushpin_map_size =
| parent =
| pushpin_map_caption=
| tributary_left = Y.S River
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| tributary_right = One Eye River ,Smith River, Broad River
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| city =
| subdivision_name1 = [[Jamaica]]
| landmark =
| subdivision_type2 =
<!-- *** River locations *** -->
| subdivision_name2 =
| source =
| subdivision_type3 = Region
| source_location = | source_region = | source_country =
| subdivision_name3 = [[Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica]]
| source_elevation = 230
| subdivision_type4 =
| source_lat_d = 18.189553 | source_lat_m = | source_lat_s = | source_lat_NS = N
| subdivision_name4 =
| source_long_d = 77.683307 | source_long_m = | source_long_s = | source_long_EW = W
| subdivision_type5 =
| source1 =
| subdivision_name5 =
| source1_location = | source1_region = | source1_country =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| source1_elevation =
| length_km = 53.4
| source1_lat_d = | source1_lat_m = | source1_lat_s = | source1_lat_NS =
| width_min = {{convert|5|m}}
| source1_long_d = | source1_long_m = | source1_long_s = | source1_long_EW =
| width_avg = {{convert|50|m}}
| source_confluence =
| width_max = {{convert|2|km}}
| source_confluence_location = | source_confluence_region = | source_confluence_country =
| depth_min = {{convert|1|m}}
| source_confluence_elevation =
| depth_avg = {{convert|27|m}}
| source_confluence_lat_d = | source_confluence_lat_m = | source_confluence_lat_s = | source_confluence_lat_NS =
| depth_max = {{convert|92|m}}
| source_confluence_long_d = | source_confluence_long_m = | source_confluence_long_s = | source_confluence_long_EW =
| discharge1_location= [[Black River Bay]]
| mouth = Caribbean Sea
| discharge1_min = {{convert|abbr=on|20|m3/s}}
| mouth_location = [[Black River, Jamaica|Black River (town)]] | mouth_region = | mouth_country =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|abbr=on|176|m3/s}}
| mouth_elevation = 0
| discharge1_max = {{convert|abbr=on|4200|m3/s}}
| mouth_lat_d = 18.021624 | mouth_lat_m = | mouth_lat_s = | mouth_lat_NS = N
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| mouth_long_d = 77.846949 | mouth_long_m = | mouth_long_s = | mouth_long_EW = W
| source1 =
<!-- *** Dimensions *** -->
| source1_location =
| length = 53.4
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|18.189553|N|77.683307|W|display=inline}}
| width =
| source1_elevation = {{convert|141|m|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| mouth = [[Caribbean Sea]]
| volume =
| mouth_location = [[Black River, Jamaica|Black River (town)]]
| watershed =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|18.021624|N|77.846949|W|display=inline,title}}
| discharge =
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| discharge_max =
| progression =
| discharge_min =
| river_system = Dendritic
<!-- *** Maps *** -->
| basin_size_km2 = 166
| map =
| tributaries_left = Y.S. River
| map_caption =
| tributaries_right = {{hlist| One Eye River| Smith River| Broad River| Braes River}}
| map_background =
| custom_label = Protection status
| map_locator =
| custom_data = {{Designation list
| map_locator_x =
| embed = yes
| map_locator_y =
| designation1 = Ramsar
<!-- *** Website *** -->
| designation1_offname = Black River Lower Morass
| website =
| designation1_date = 7 October 1997
<!-- *** Footnotes *** -->
| designation1_number = 919<ref>{{Cite web|title=Black River Lower Morass|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/919|accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
| footnotes =
| extra =
}}
}}


The '''Black River''' is one of the longest rivers in [[Jamaica]]. At a length of {{convert|53.4|km|mi|abbr=on}},<ref name="Jamaica Black River">{{cite web|title=Jamaica Black River, About the River|url=http://www.jamaicablackriver.com/river.html|accessdate=7 December 2012}}</ref> it was believed to be the longest until it was discovered that the [[Rio Minho (Jamaica)|Rio Minho]] was 92.8&nbsp;km long.<ref name="JNHT">[http://www.jnht.com/heritage_site.php?id=197 Jamaica National Heritage Trust - Black River]</ref> Its name refers to the darkness of the river bed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass.<ref name="JNHT"/>
The '''Black River''' is one of the longest rivers in [[Jamaica]]. At a length of {{convert|53.4|km|mi|abbr=on}},<ref name="Jamaica Black River">{{cite web|title=Jamaica Black River, About the River|url=http://www.jamaicablackriver.com/river.html|accessdate=7 December 2012}}</ref> it was believed to be the longest until it was discovered that the [[Rio Minho (Jamaica)|Rio Minho]] was 92.8&nbsp;km long.<ref name="JNHT">[http://www.jnht.com/heritage_site.php?id=197 Jamaica National Heritage Trust - Black River] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307042122/http://www.jnht.com/heritage_site.php?id=197 |date=March 7, 2009 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="JNHT"/> A 17,769&nbsp;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.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/black-river-great-morass-iba-jamaica|title= Black River Great Morass|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2024-09-12}}</ref>
== Sources ==


==Geography==
The river's source is the [[Cockpit Country]] where it runs underground before emerging north of [[Siloah]] on the southern fringe Cockpits ({{coord|18.1895534|N|77.6833069|W|display=inline|type:landmark_region:JM}}).<ref name="DOS">UK [[Directorate of Overseas Surveys]] 1:50,000 map of Jamaica sheet D, 1959.</ref>
===Sources===
The river's source is the [[Cockpit Country]] where it runs underground before emerging north of [[Siloah]] on the southern fringe Cockpits ({{coord|18.1895534|N|77.6833069|W|display=inline|type:landmark_region:JM}}).<ref name="DOS">UK [[Directorate of Overseas Surveys]] 1:50,000 map of Jamaica sheet D, 1959.</ref> Immediately after its emergence, the river meanders gently through the cane fields of the Appleton Estate. It receives a boost from the [[One Eye River]], which is a continuation of the larger [[Hectors River]] which forms the [[Trelawny Parish, Jamaica|Trelawny]]-[[Manchester]] border. Approaching [[Maggotty]], its speed increases and occasional rapids occur.<ref name="DOS"/> Passing through Maggotty, the river runs alongside the road and goes down several small waterfalls and the Black River Gorge, located in the [[Apple Valley Park]].<ref name="DOS"/>


== Route ==
===Upper Morass===
Running past [[Newton, Jamaica|Newton]], the river flows into the [[Upper Morass]] being joined by the Smith River and other smaller tributaries,<ref name="DOS"/> where thick rushes flourish. In the Elim area, a fish farm cultivates the ‘Jesus fish’, a variety of [[Oreochromis mossambicus|African perch]],<ref>[http://fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNameSearchList.php Fishbase.org]</ref> so called because of its reputation as a prolific breeder. The [[Jacana (genus)|Jacana]] is also known locally as the ‘Jesus bird,’ as it gives the impression of walking on water when it wades among the floating leaves of aquatic plants.


[[Lacovia]] and [[Middle Quarters]] are located between the Upper Morass and the [[Lower Morass]].<ref name="DOS"/> Middle Quarters is famous for its crayfish, known locally as ‘hot pepper shrimps.’ The traps used by the fishermen are similar to those of the [[Niger River]] in Africa; knowledge of their making was brought to the island by slaves over 300 years ago.
Immediately after its emergence, the river meanders gently through the cane fields of the Appleton Estate. It receives a boost from the [[One Eye River]] which is a continuation of the larger [[Hectors River]] which forms the [[Trelawny Parish, Jamaica|Trelawny]]-[[Manchester]] border. Approaching Maggoty its speed increases and occasional rapids occur.<ref name="DOS"/>


===Lower Morass===
Passing through [[Maggotty]], the river runs alongside the road and goes down several small waterfalls and the Black River Gorge located in the [[Apple Valley Park]].<ref name="DOS"/> Running past [[Newton, Jamaica|Newton]], the river flows into the [[Upper Morass]] being joined by the Smith River and other smaller tributaries,<ref name="DOS"/> where thick rushes flourish. In the Elim area, a fish farm cultivates the ‘Jesus fish’, a variety of [[Oreochromis mossambicus|African perch]],<ref>[http://fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNameSearchList.php Fishbase.org]</ref> so called because of its reputation as a prolific breeder. The [[Jacana]] is also known locally as the ‘Jesus bird,’ as it gives the impression of walking on water when it wades among the floating leaves of aquatic plants.
The Lower Morass consists of shallow estuaries, marshland and mangrove swamps, providing a rich ecological environment for a broad range of fish, birds and other creatures including [[lobster]]s, mangrove snappers, snook and mullet.<ref name="JNHT"/> Here the river is joined by the YS river<ref name="DOS"/> making the Lower Morass the largest (14,085&nbsp;acres) swamp environment in the [[Caribbean]].


[[American crocodile]]s (''Crocodylus acutus'') inhabit the swamps,<ref name="JNHT"/> but the population has declined, due mainly to loss of habitat as heavy draining for agricultural or tourist destroys their nesting places. Birds found here include egrets, herons and ospreys. The [[mangrove]] trees of the Lower Morass are sometimes spectacular with aerial roots sent out like spiders' legs, sometimes dropping {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}} into the river.
[[File:Rasta tourist guide on Black River.jpg|thumb|right|Rasta tourist guide on Black River]]

[[Lacovia]] and [[Middle Quarters]] are located between the Upper Morass and the [[Lower Morass]].<ref name="DOS"/> Middle Quarters is famous for its crayfish known locally as ‘hot pepper shrimps.’ The traps mused by the fishermen are similar to those of the [[Niger River]] in Africa and were brought to the island by slaves over 300 years ago.

The Lower Morass consists of shallow estuaries, marshland and mangrove swamps providing a rich ecological environment for a broad range of fish, birds and other creatures including [[lobster]]s, mangrove snappers, snook and mullet.<ref name="JNHT"/> Here the river is joined by the YS river<ref name="DOS"/> making the Lower Morass the largest (14,085&nbsp;acres) swamp environment in the [[Caribbean]]. [[American crocodile]]s ([[Crocodylus acutus]]) inhabit the swamps<ref name="JNHT"/> but the population has declined due mainly to loss of habitat as heavy draining for agricultural or tourist destroys their nesting places. Birds found here include egrets, herons and ospreys. The [[mangrove]] trees of the Lower Morass are sometimes spectacular with aerial roots sent out like spiders' legs, sometimes dropping 40&nbsp;feet into the river.


===Mouth===
The river reaches the sea ({{coord|18.021624|N|77.846949|W|display=inline|type:landmark_region:JM}}) on the eastern edge of the [[Black River, Jamaica|town of the same name]].<ref name="DOS"/>
The river reaches the sea ({{coord|18.021624|N|77.846949|W|display=inline|type:landmark_region:JM}}) on the eastern edge of the [[Black River, Jamaica|town of the same name]].<ref name="DOS"/>


== Commercial use ==
==Commercial use==
Logwood tree trunks were floated down the Black River to the port to be shipped to England for making of dyes.<ref name="JNHT"/>
Formerly, logwood tree trunks were floated down the Black River to the port to be shipped to England for making dyes.<ref name="JNHT"/> Now, motor boats take tourists on excursions from Black River town into the lower reaches.<ref name="JNHT"/>

Nowadays, motor boats take tourists on excursions from Black River town into the lower reaches.<ref name="JNHT"/>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Rivers of Jamaica}}
{{Rivers of Jamaica}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Rivers of Jamaica]]
[[Category:Rivers of Jamaica]]
[[Category:Geography of Saint Elizabeth Parish]]
[[Category:Geography of Saint Elizabeth Parish]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Jamaica]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in Jamaica]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in Jamaica]]

Latest revision as of 16:28, 10 November 2024

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]

Geography

[edit]

Sources

[edit]

The river's source is the Cockpit Country where it runs underground before emerging north of Siloah on the southern fringe Cockpits (18°11′22″N 77°41′00″W / 18.1895534°N 77.6833069°W / 18.1895534; -77.6833069).[5] Immediately after its emergence, the river meanders gently through the cane fields of the Appleton Estate. It receives a boost from the One Eye River, which is a continuation of the larger Hectors River which forms the Trelawny-Manchester border. Approaching Maggotty, its speed increases and occasional rapids occur.[5] Passing through Maggotty, the river runs alongside the road and goes down several small waterfalls and the Black River Gorge, located in the Apple Valley Park.[5]

Upper Morass

[edit]

Running past Newton, the river flows into the Upper Morass being joined by the Smith River and other smaller tributaries,[5] where thick rushes flourish. In the Elim area, a fish farm cultivates the ‘Jesus fish’, a variety of African perch,[6] so called because of its reputation as a prolific breeder. The Jacana is also known locally as the ‘Jesus bird,’ as it gives the impression of walking on water when it wades among the floating leaves of aquatic plants.

Lacovia and Middle Quarters are located between the Upper Morass and the Lower Morass.[5] Middle Quarters is famous for its crayfish, known locally as ‘hot pepper shrimps.’ The traps used by the fishermen are similar to those of the Niger River in Africa; knowledge of their making was brought to the island by slaves over 300 years ago.

Lower Morass

[edit]

The Lower Morass consists of shallow estuaries, marshland and mangrove swamps, providing a rich ecological environment for a broad range of fish, birds and other creatures including lobsters, mangrove snappers, snook and mullet.[3] Here the river is joined by the YS river[5] making the Lower Morass the largest (14,085 acres) swamp environment in the Caribbean.

American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) inhabit the swamps,[3] but the population has declined, due mainly to loss of habitat as heavy draining for agricultural or tourist destroys their nesting places. Birds found here include egrets, herons and ospreys. The mangrove trees of the Lower Morass are sometimes spectacular with aerial roots sent out like spiders' legs, sometimes dropping 40 ft (12 m) into the river.

Mouth

[edit]

The river reaches the sea (18°01′18″N 77°50′49″W / 18.021624°N 77.846949°W / 18.021624; -77.846949) on the eastern edge of the town of the same name.[5]

Commercial use

[edit]

Formerly, logwood tree trunks were floated down the Black River to the port to be shipped to England for making dyes.[3] Now, motor boats take tourists on excursions from Black River town into the lower reaches.[3]

References

[edit]
  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 c d e f 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.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g UK Directorate of Overseas Surveys 1:50,000 map of Jamaica sheet D, 1959.
  6. ^ Fishbase.org