List of rivers of Sierra Leone

Characteristics and environment

Rivers in Sierra Leone typically have a marked seasonal cycle, swelling during the rainy season and shrinking in the dry months. Many have broad estuaries and support extensive mangrove forests near the coast. Inland, river valleys carry sediments that create fertile plains used for subsistence crops. Several rivers also cross international boundaries and are part of larger West African drainage systems.

Major rivers and notable waterways

• Rokel (Seli) River — One of the country's principal rivers, which reaches the sea via a large estuary near Freetown.
• Sewa River — A prominent river in the eastern and central parts of Sierra Leone with numerous tributaries.
• Moa River — Flows in the south and southwest, draining interior highlands toward the Atlantic.
• Great Scarcies (Kolenté) — A northern river system that approaches the ocean through a wide coastal plain.
• Little Scarcies (Kaba) — Runs parallel to the Great Scarcies along the northwestern coastal zone.
• Mano River — A transboundary river forming part of the border with Liberia in the southeast.
• Jong River — An inland river with tributaries that serve agricultural districts in the east.

Uses, history and contemporary importance

Historically, rivers provided routes for local trade and access to inland areas. They remain important for small-scale transport, freshwater fisheries and irrigation. Estuaries near Freetown and other coastal towns have been central to settlement and commerce. Rivers have also supported artisanal mining and other livelihoods, while their basins host significant biodiversity.

Conservation and challenges

River systems face pressures from deforestation, erosion, siltation, pollution from mining and agriculture, and the loss of mangrove habitats. Sustainable management efforts focus on watershed protection, restoring riparian vegetation and balancing the needs of local communities with conservation of aquatic ecosystems.

Below the main entries, many smaller tributaries and seasonal streams connect to these primary rivers; comprehensive, place-by-place lists record dozens of named waterways across the country.