Saint John River (Liberia)

The headwaters of the river are in the Nimba Range of the Guinea Highlands in the country of Guinea and flow south towards the border with Liberia. Near Yalata, Guinea it begins to form the border between Guinea and Bong County in Liberia. Flowing generally south, it forms the international boundary for around 9.6 km (6 miles). At Niatande, Liberia, it meets the Mani River and enters Liberia, forming the boundary between Bong and Nimba counties. The river then flows to the southwest for approximately before turning to the southeast for a stretch. Near Zahn it takes the smaller Yah river, and turns southwest again. After about it begins to form the boundary between Bong and Grand Bassa counties and turns west for about 16 km (10 miles). The river then continues to the southwest, and after approximately it enters Grand Bassa County. After around it turns south for and then flows back to the southwest for approximately 16 km (10 miles). Near Shoigabli it turns due south for about where it passes Mount Finley and turns more westerly and flows generally southwest for another 14.5 km (9 miles). Between Zoblum and Alfabli the Saint John widens and flows to the northwest for around before heading west for a mile to Hartford. The river then dives to the southwest for its final 10.5 km (6.5 miles). Here it receives the Mechlin and Benson rivers as it empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Edina and Buchanan. ==Details==

The river's drainage basin covers over both Liberia and Guinea. At in length, it is one of the six main or major rivers of Liberia. The average annual discharge of the St. John is as measured at the inland station of Baila. During the wet season in October, flows average , while in February during the dry season the flows average at the same location. Flowing generally southwest from its source to the ocean it contains occasional rapids and a waterfall. There are at least 65 species of fish in the river, including species of Mastacembelidae, Barbus eburneensis, Chrysichthys johnelsi, Killifish, Electric catfish, Nile perch, and Tilapia among others. Birds also use the riverbanks and islands as nesting grounds, including the Three-cusped Pangolin, Palaearctic, Sandpipers, Greenshanks, Little Ringed Plover, and Water Chevrotain in the Kpatawee Wetlands area in Bong County. ==References==