Maputo River

Maputo River (Great Usutu)
Lusutfu or Suthu
River
Maputo River in Mozambique
Countries	South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique
Source
- location	Amsterdam, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Mouth	Indian Ocean
- location	Maputo Province, Mozambique
Basin	29,970 km2 (11,571 sq mi)

Maputo River

Location of the Maputo River's mouth

The Maputo River (Portuguese Rio Maputo), also called Great Usutu River, Lusutfu River, or Suthu River, is a river in South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique. The name Suthu refers to Basotho people who lived near the source of the river, but were attacked and displaced by Swazis. It is also said to mean 'dark brown', a description of the river's muddy water.

Course

The river rises near Amsterdam, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and flows through Swaziland in an easterly direction, where it enters the Lebombo Mountains. The 13-kilometre gorge forms the boundary between Swaziland and South Africa. For approximately twenty kilometres, it forms the border between South Africa (province of KwaZulu-Natal) and Mozambique. There, in the Ndumo Game Reserve, it absorbs its largest tributary, the Pongola River. It then meanders through the Mozambican coastal plain and empties into southern Maputo Bay, some 85 kilometres downstream.

In Swaziland, the river, there called the Great Usutu or Lusutfu, flows through the towns of Bhunya, Luyengo, Siphofaneni, and Big Bend. The town of Big Bend is located near a point in the river where it meanders abruptly. The Great Usutu is the largest river in Swaziland and the site of Swaziland's lowest point (21 meters above sea level). It is known for whitewater rafting. No large towns have been able to form along its banks due to deep narrow valleys and dense forests. It is, however, home to some golf courses, hotels, and nature reserves.

Tributaries

From the origin to its mouth, in order, tributaries are the: Seganagana, Bonnie Brook, Mpuluzi, Buhlungu, Umvenvane, Lusushwana, Sidvokodvo, Mhlamani, Mzimneni, Mzimphofu, Mhlathuzane, Mtsindzekwa, Mhlatuze, Nyetane, Funuane, and the Pongola Rivers.

Dams on this river

• Westoe Dam
• Lubovane Dam

See also

• List of rivers of South Africa

External links

• Maputo River Basin - SADC Water Sector ICP Collaboration Portal