Luapula River

Introduction

Tributary of the Congo River the river The Luapula River is a north flowing river of central Africa, within the Congo River watershed.Tributary of the Congo River the river The Luapula River is a north flowing river of central Africa, within the Congo River watershed.

The Luapula is not part of the Congo River itself, but some sources use the Luapula and its tributary, the Chambeshi, to measure the furthest length of the Congo River system.The Luapula is not part of the Congo River itself, but some sources use the Luapula and its tributary, the Chambeshi, to measure the furthest length of the Congo River system.

It rises in the wetlands of Lake Bangweulu (Zambia), which are fed by the Chambeshi River.It rises in the wetlands of Lake Bangweulu (Zambia), which are fed by the Chambeshi River.

The Luapula flows west then north, marking the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo before emptying into Lake Mweru.The Luapula flows west then north, marking the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo before emptying into Lake Mweru.

The river gives its name to Zambia's Luapula Province.The river gives its name to Zambia's Luapula Province.

The Luapula Valley

From the Chembe Bridge to Lake Mweru, the long Luapula Valley has a higher rural population than the plateau through which it cuts to a depth of up to The river is known for this valley and for its long thin delta entering Lake Mweru, usually referred to as the Luapula Swamps.From the Chembe Bridge to Lake Mweru, the long Luapula Valley has a higher rural population than the plateau through which it cuts to a depth of up to The river is known for this valley and for its long thin delta entering Lake Mweru, usually referred to as the Luapula Swamps.

The well populated part of the valley starts north from Mambilima Falls, and along the rest of its length is nicknamed 'Mwapoleni Road', after the Chibemba greeting called out as people pass each other.The well populated part of the valley starts north from Mambilima Falls, and along the rest of its length is nicknamed 'Mwapoleni Road', after the Chibemba greeting called out as people pass each other.

The Luapula Swamps

The swamps stretch along the last of the river before it reaches the lake, and for much of that, they are wide, covering an area of about There are four inhabited islands in the DR Congo part of the delta, including the largest in the system which is connected to dry land in the dry season.The swamps stretch along the last of the river before it reaches the lake, and for much of that, they are wide, covering an area of about There are four inhabited islands in the DR Congo part of the delta, including the largest in the system which is connected to dry land in the dry season.

Zambia has three inhabited islands in the delta including Chisenga Island.Zambia has three inhabited islands in the delta including Chisenga Island.

There are also many lagoons, the largest of which is Mofwe Lagoon on the Zambian side.There are also many lagoons, the largest of which is Mofwe Lagoon on the Zambian side.

The first large town of the colonial era was the river port, Kasenga, in DR Congo, which grew prosperous in the 1930s from supplying fish to Elizabethville and other towns of the Katanga Copperbelt via the first motor road to reach the valley.The first large town of the colonial era was the river port, Kasenga, in DR Congo, which grew prosperous in the 1930s from supplying fish to Elizabethville and other towns of the Katanga Copperbelt via the first motor road to reach the valley.

Most of the fish was caught in Lake Mweru and brought by boat up the Luapula to Kasenga, where it was packed in ice produced in several plants.Most of the fish was caught in Lake Mweru and brought by boat up the Luapula to Kasenga, where it was packed in ice produced in several plants.

Although the fish catch has declined and most now travels on the better roads of Zambia, Kasenga remains the only port on the river.Although the fish catch has declined and most now travels on the better roads of Zambia, Kasenga remains the only port on the river.

River crossings

The first vehicle pontoon ferries were at Kasenga, Kapalala and Shiniama near Matanda.The first vehicle pontoon ferries were at Kasenga, Kapalala and Shiniama near Matanda.

None remain, though a passenger ferry operates between Kasenga and Kashiba, Zambia.None remain, though a passenger ferry operates between Kasenga and Kashiba, Zambia.

Around 1950 the Chembe Ferry on the Congo Pedicle road became on the main vehicle crossing.Around 1950 the Chembe Ferry on the Congo Pedicle road became on the main vehicle crossing.

The river there is wide but can flood to wide in a heavy rainy season.The river there is wide but can flood to wide in a heavy rainy season.

In 1983 the first bridge over the river was built, the long Luapula Bridge on the Samfya Serenje Road.In 1983 the first bridge over the river was built, the long Luapula Bridge on the Samfya Serenje Road.

The bridge approaches include nearly of elevated causeway over wetlands and another of embankment over flood plain.The bridge approaches include nearly of elevated causeway over wetlands and another of embankment over flood plain.

The second bridge over the river, the long Chembe Bridge was completed in 2008 to replace the Chembe Ferry.The second bridge over the river, the long Chembe Bridge was completed in 2008 to replace the Chembe Ferry.