{{Short description|River in Nigeria}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} thumb|Otamiri River thumb|Otamiri River and tributaries The '''Otamiri River''' is one of the main rivers in Imo State, Nigeria.<ref>{{cite news |title=Imo decries pollution of Otamiri river by residents |work=The Guardian Nigeria |date=8 November 2021 |url=https://guardian.ng/news/imo-decries-pollution-of-otamiri-river-by-residents/ |access-date=17 April 2026}}</ref>The river takes its name from ''Ota Miri'', a deity who owns all the waters that are called by his name, and who is often the dominating god of Mbari houses.{{cn|date=May 2024}} The river runs south from Egbu past Owerri and through Nekede, Ihiagwa, Eziobodo, Olokwu Umuisi, Mgbirichi and Umuagwo to Ozuzu in Etche, in the Rivers State, from where it flows to the Atlantic Ocean. The length of the river from its source to its confluence at Emeabiam with the Uramiriukwa River is {{convert|30|km|mi}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-08 |title=Imo decries pollution of Otamiri river by residents |url=https://guardian.ng/news/imo-decries-pollution-of-otamiri-river-by-residents/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-03-25 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref>

The Otamiri watershed covers about {{convert|10000|km2|mi2}} with annual rainfall of {{convert|2250|to|2500|mm|in}}. The watershed is mostly covered by depleted rain forest vegetation, with mean temperatures of {{convert|27|C|F}} throughout the year. Conversion of the tropical rainforest to grassland with slash and burn practices is degrading soil quality.{{Cn|date=June 2024}}

The Otamiri is joined by the Nworie River at Nekede in Owerri, a river about {{convert|9.2|km|mi}} long. The Nworie river is subject to intensive human and industrial activities, and is used as a source of drinking water by the poor when the public water system fails. The Nworie is polluted by organic wastes but in 2008 was not above acceptable levels of chemical pollution. Waste management in Owerri is inefficient and contributes to pollution of the river. Most of the wastes from Owerri are dumped at the Avu landfill in Owerri West on the Port Harcourt highway, which creates a high concentration of phosphate and nitrate in the Otamiri.

South of Owerri the river flows through an alternating sequence of sands, sandstones and clay-shales. Random sand samples from the bank of Otamiri River between Chokocho and Umuanyaga, Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State<ref>{{Cite news |last=Contributor |first=Pulse |date=2021-10-13 |title=A brief walk into the history and economy of Etche culture |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/etche-culture-a-brief-walk-into-the-history-and-economy-of-one-of-nigerias-lovely/rcbc11c |access-date=2022-03-25 |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref> showed that 86&nbsp;percent of the sand particles, are within the ideal range for glass making.<ref>{{cite conference |last1=Adejumo |first1=Taiye Elisha |last2=Esau |first2=F. I. |title=Assessment of Quality of Sand from Rivers Imo and Otamiri, Imo State for Construction Purposes |conference=Proceedings of 2nd International Engineering conference (!EC 2017) |publisher=Federal University of Technology |location=Minna, Nigeria |date=18 November 2017 |url=http://repository.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/6170 }}</ref>

== Pollution in Otamiri River == Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation has suggested that Otamiri River been the main source of potable water to Owerri, may dry up, if urgent care is not taken to stop the continued pollution of water. Also, the World Bank would start a project to provide safe water for Imo citizens by January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-08 |title=Imo decries pollution of Otamiri river by residents |url=https://guardian.ng/news/imo-decries-pollution-of-otamiri-river-by-residents/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-03-25 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref>

It was also stated by The General Manager (GM), Emeka Ugoanyanwu that the people living close by the Otamiri River dump refuse, defecate, bury corpes and constructs soack-away pit around the river bank, which has cause high pollution in Otamiri River

== Environmental impact == Nworie River at Nekede in Owerri, joins with the Otamiri; a river about {{convert|9.2|km|mi}} long. The Nworie river is used as a source of drinking water when the public water system fails, but it is subject to intensive human and industrial activities. The Nworie is polluted by organic wastes but levels of chemical pollution was not accepted in 2008.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ogbomida |first1=Emmanuel T. |last2=Emeribe |first2=Chukwudi N. |title=Impact of urbanization on Nwaorie and Otamiri Rivers in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria |journal=Advances in Environmental Research |date=25 June 2013 |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=119–129 |doi=10.12989/aer.2013.2.2.119 }}</ref> Waste management in Owerri is inefficient and contributes to pollution of the river. Most of the wastes from Owerri are dumped at the Avu landfill in Owerri West on the Port Harcourt highway, which creates a high concentration of phosphate and nitrate in the Otamiri.

==Pictures of Otamiri River at Egbu== <gallery> File:Otamiri River (4) in Egbu, Owerri.jpg|alt=Showing the front view of Otamiri River[9]|Showing the front view of Otamiri River<ref>{{Cite web |title=Showing the front view of Otamiri River - Google Search |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=Showing+the+front+view+of+Otamiri+River#fpstate=kpfb&kpfb-attr=images%20universal&kpfb-docid=aJO60lfGHGSY4M&kpfb-entityid=/m/0jg24&kpfb-entityname=Image&kpfb-ftag=0&kpfb-ftype=3&kpfb-kpid=images_universal_aJO60lfGHGSY4M&kpfb-lpage=https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Re-Otamiri-River-Walk/td-p/2199834&kpfb-rval=Local%20Guides%20Connect&kpfb-stage=2&kpfb-tattr=&kpfb-ve=2ahUKEwjWwMTB44eAAxUJKMAKHZQ8CHoQ9AF6BAgMEAA |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=www.google.com}}</ref> File:Otamiri River (5) in Egbu, Owerri.jpg|Otamiri River showing the drainage system through which effluent is discharged into the river. File:Otamiri River (1) in Egbu, Owerri.jpg|alt=block industry beside Otamiri river where block moulders normally get their water for moulding block from the river[10]|block industry beside Otamiri river where block moulders normally get their water for moulding block from the river File:Otamiri River 01.jpg|Otamiri River located along Akachi Road </gallery>

==References== {{reflist}} Category:Rivers of Nigeria Category:Imo State {{coord|4.903889|N|7.141667|E|display=title}}{{Imo-geo-stub}} {{Nigeria-river-stub}}