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Black River (Jamaica)
Encyclopedia
The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica
. At a length of 53.4 km (33.2 mi), it was believed to be the longest until it was discovered that the Rio Minho
was 92.8 km long. 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.
where it runs underground before emerging north of Siloah on the southern fringe Cockpits (18.1895534°N 77.6833069°W).
which is a continuation of the larger Hectors River
which forms the Trelawny-Manchester
border. Approaching Maggoty its speed increases and occasional rapids occur.
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. Running past Newton, the river flows into the Upper Morass being joined by the Smith River and other smaller tributaries, where thick rushes flourish. In the Elim area, a fish farm cultivates the ‘Jesus fish’, a variety of African perch
, 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. 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. Here the river is joined by the YS river making the Lower Morass the largest (14,085 acres) swamp environment in the Caribbean
. American crocodile
s (Crocodylus acutus) inhabit the swamps 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 feet into the river.
The river reaches the sea (18.0216244°N 77.8469485°W) on the eastern edge of the town of the same name
.
Nowadays, motor boats take tourists on excursions from Black River town into the lower reaches.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. At a length of 53.4 km (33.2 mi), it was believed to be the longest until it was discovered that the Rio Minho
Rio Minho (Jamaica)
At the Rio Minho is the longest river in Jamaica. It rises close to the island's geographic centre, flows generally south-southwest and reaches the Caribbean Sea at Carlisle Bay in the central south coast, to the west of the island's southernmost point, Portland Point.The town of May Pen,...
was 92.8 km long. 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.
Source
The river's source is the Cockpit CountryCockpit Country
Cockpit Country is an area in Jamaica which provided a natural defensive area used by Maroons to establish communities outside the control of Spanish or British colonialists....
where it runs underground before emerging north of Siloah on the southern fringe Cockpits (18.1895534°N 77.6833069°W).
Route
Immediately after its emergence, the river meanders gently through the cane fields of the Appleton Estate. It receives a boost fom the One Eye RiverOne Eye River
The One-Eye River is a river in the parishes of Manchester and St Elizabeth in Jamaica. It is a tributary of the Black River.-Course:The hydrology of the area is complex, with several sinks and risings...
which is a continuation of the larger Hectors River
Hectors River
-References:**OMC Map**Ford, Jos C. and Finlay, A.A.C. .The Handbook of Jamaica. Jamaica Government Printing Office...
which forms the Trelawny-Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
border. Approaching Maggoty its speed increases and occasional rapids occur.
Passing through Maggotty
Maggotty
Maggotty is a settlement in Jamaica. It has a population of 1,335 as of 2009.Was a Bauxite mining town in the 1960s and 1970s.The Revere Bauxite plant poluted the lingest river on the Island of Jamaica; the Black River....
, the river runs alongside the road and goes down several small waterfalls and the Black River Gorge located in the Apple Valley Park. Running past Newton, the river flows into the Upper Morass being joined by the Smith River and other smaller tributaries, where thick rushes flourish. In the Elim area, a fish farm cultivates the ‘Jesus fish’, a variety of African perch
Oreochromis mossambicus
The Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, is a tilapiine cichlid fish native to southern Africa. It is a popular fish for aquaculture...
, so called because of its reputation as a prolific breeder. The Jacana
Jacana
The jaçanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone. See Etymology below for pronunciation....
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
Lacovia is a town in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, located on the Black River between the Upper Morass and the Lower Morrass.-History:The name derives from La Caoban, the name of the place during the Spanish occupation. Following the English invasion it was called Coby...
and Middle Quarters are located between the Upper Morass and the Lower Morass. 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
Niger River
The Niger River is the principal river of western Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in southeastern Guinea...
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
Lobster
Clawed lobsters comprise a family of large marine crustaceans. Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.Though several groups of crustaceans are known as lobsters, the clawed lobsters are most...
s, mangrove snappers, snook and mullet. Here the river is joined by the YS river making the Lower Morass the largest (14,085 acres) swamp environment in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. American crocodile
American Crocodile
The American crocodile is a species of crocodilian found in the Neotropics. It is the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas. Populations occur from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of southern Mexico to South America as far as Peru and Venezuela. It also lives...
s (Crocodylus acutus) inhabit the swamps 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
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
trees of the Lower Morass are sometimes spectacular with aerial roots sent out like spiders' legs, sometimes dropping 40 feet into the river.
The river reaches the sea (18.0216244°N 77.8469485°W) on the eastern edge of the town of the same name
Black River, Jamaica
Black River is the capital of St. Elizabeth Parish, in southwestern Jamaica. It sits at the mouth of the river of the same name. Once a thriving sugar port, it is today a centre of environmental tourism and a gateway to the Treasure Beach resort area; Treasure Beach and Crane Beach are to the...
.
Commercial use
Logwood tree trunks were floated down the Black River to the port to be shipped to England for making of dyes.Nowadays, motor boats take tourists on excursions from Black River town into the lower reaches.