Black River

The Black River is Jamaica's largest river, and it flows through St. Elizabeth through low-lying regions with clayey soils. As a result, the soils do not drain well and frequently create a bog or morass. Hundreds of plant and animal species live in the Black River Morass. The Black River was once used to transport logs, but today it is mostly utilized to water the relatively arid but rich Pedro Plains and as a tourism attraction known as 'The Black River Safari.'

The river follows beside the road as it passes through Maggotty, descending many minor waterfalls and the Black River Gorge, which is located in Apple Valley Park. The river runs past Newton into the Upper Morass, where it is joined by the Smith River and several minor tributaries,[4] where dense rushes thrive. A fish farm in the Elim region raises the 'Jesus fish,' a kind of African perch so named because of its reputation as a prolific breeder. The Jacana is also known as the 'Jesus bird' because it appears to walk on water as it wades amid the floating leaves of aquatic plants.

Length: 53.4 km