Logone

Logone is a river in Central Africa, a major tributary of the Chari River that drains into Lake Chad. It originates in the Central African Republic and flows westward into Chad, where its lower course forms part of the border with Cameroon. The Logone’s basin spans parts of the Central African Republic, Chad, and Cameroon and supports a range of ecological and human communities along its length.

Hydrology and geomorphology: The river follows a tropical monsoon pattern with a pronounced wet season from roughly May to October, during which flows increase and floodplains expand. In the dry season, discharge declines and water levels recede. Interannual rainfall variability and upstream water use influence the river’s flow regime, with floods replenishing wetlands and sustaining agriculture and fisheries.

Ecology: The Logone floodplain hosts wetlands, riparian forests, and savannas that provide habitat for various fish species, waterfowl, and other wildlife. The river supports productive fisheries that are important for local food security and income, as well as opportunities for small-scale agriculture and pastoralism along its banks.

Human geography and economy: Communities along the Logone rely on fishing, farming, and livestock rearing. The river has historically supported cross-border trade and movement, and parts of its course are used for local transportation and provisioning. Urban centers near the river include towns in Chad and the Central African Republic, with cross-border interaction shaping regional dynamics.

Threats and conservation: The Logone basin faces pressures from climate variability, dam construction and water management upstream, sedimentation, and land-use change that affect flooding regimes. Lake Chad’s shrinkage also alters hydrology downstream. Conservation and transboundary cooperation programs aim to sustain fisheries, wetlands, and livelihoods in the Logone basin. See also Chari River, Lake Chad, and Chad–Cameroon border.