The Ishasha is a river in southwest Uganda, forming part of the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It runs from its source north of Kabale to its mouth at Lake Edward.[1][2] Its length is very roughly 100 kilometres (62 mi) ignoring the many small meanders.[3]

Ishasha River
Course of the Ishasha River
Ishasha River is located in Uganda
Ishasha River
Location
Countries
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationKabale District
 • elevation6020 ft
Mouth 
 • location
Lake Edward
 • coordinates
0°26′42″S 29°41′10″E / 0.445°S 29.686°E / -0.445; 29.686
 • elevation
2995 ft
Length100 km (approx)

Description

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The river arises from drainage channels in farmland some 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Kabale. It runs northwest through mountain valleys to its entrance into the northern lobe of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. From there, it continues northwest under the heavy forest canopy to the Kanungu dam, part of the Kanungu Hydroelectric Power Station, also known as the Ishasha Power Station.

Leaving the power station, it meanders northwest through hilly terrain until it joins and becomes part of the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border. After turning north, it continues past the DRC town of Ishasha at the southern tip of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). It remains the western border of QENP until it enters the marshlands on the shore of Lake Edward.[4][5]

Location

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Point Coordinates
(links to map & photo sources)
Notes
Kabale District source 1°05′S 29°53′E / 1.09°S 29.89°E / -1.09; 29.89 (Kabale District source) Elevation: 6020 ft
Entering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 0°57′22″S 29°46′41″E / 0.956°S 29.778°E / -0.956; 29.778 (Entering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) Elev: 4987 ft
Kanungu power station 0°52′19″S 29°39′54″E / 0.872°S 29.665°E / -0.872; 29.665 (Kanungu power station) Elev: 3554 ft
Uganda-DRC border 0°50′02″S 29°38′20″E / 0.834°S 29.639°E / -0.834; 29.639 (Uganda-DRC border) Elev: 3432 ft
Ishasha town 0°44′06″S 29°37′48″E / 0.735°S 29.630°E / -0.735; 29.630 (Ishasha town) Elev: 3285 ft
Lake Edward mouth 0°26′42″S 29°41′10″E / 0.445°S 29.686°E / -0.445; 29.686 (Lake Edward mouth) Elev: 2995 ft


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Southwestern Uganda". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Ishasha River course". OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. ^ Makanga, Samuel (2022-11-09). "At The River Ishasha". Prime Uganda Safaris. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  4. ^ Makanga, Samuel (2022-11-09). "At The River Ishasha". Prime Uganda Safaris. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  5. ^ admin (2023-03-22). "Explore the Ishasha wilderness of Queen Elizabeth National Park". Retrieved 2024-06-19.