Yewa River
| Yewa River Yeoua, Yéoua, Yéwa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Nigeria, Benin |
| Cities | Atan, Porto Novo, Ilaro, Ado-Odo, Apamu, Igunnu Akabo, Badagry |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Atlantic Ocean |
• location | Yewa Lagoon, Nigeria |
The Yewa River is a trans-boundary river between Republic of Benin and Nigeria, running along the Bight of Benin; at one point it crosses the border between the two countries.[1] Other variants of the name are Yeoua, and, with accents, Yéoua and Yéwa.[2] Its elevation is sea level.[3] The Yewa's major sources are the Atan and Ilaro rivers. The Yewa empties into Badagry Creek which empties, in turn, into Lagos Harbor.[citation needed]
The river is in a West African tropical climate zone and is an important source of fishing for local inhabitants.[4] An important aspect of the local fishing is the blue crab (Callinectes amnicola). In addition to fishing, the river is an important factor in logging and sand mining operations. Some of the plants that inhabit the river and its banks are sedges (such as Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus papyrus, and Paspalum vaginatum) and palms (such as Pandanus candelabrum, Raphia hookeri, and Phoenix reclinata). The name comes from the Yoruba deity, Yewa who was the goddess of this exact river as well as a deity over death, beauty, mystery, solitude, change, clarity and sorcery.[5]
POLLUTION
According to research, Yewa rivers alongside other rivers are known to discharge large amount of water from inland and coastal cities which is directed to Lagos lagoon. The activities that causes this pollution entails industrial, domestic and agricultural activities. These contains organic and inorganic pollutants which affects the health risks of water bodies and people who consume them.[6]
References
- ^ "International Boundary Study, No. 91 – October 15, 1969, Benin (Dahomey) – Nigeria Boundary" (PDF). U.S. Department of State. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ "River Yewa stream, Nigeria". ng.geoview.info. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ "River Yewa". Geoview.info. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ "River Yewa / River Yewa, Nigeria (general), Nigeria, Africa". travelingluck.com. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ "River Yewa (Yewa River) - Lagos Map, Weather and Photos - Nigeria: stream - Lat:6.43333 and Long:2.85". www.getamap.net. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ Adeogun, Aina; Conversation, The. "How we learned more about dangerous pollutants in Lagos lagoon". phys.org. Retrieved 2023-09-26.