What is the deepest river in the world?

The deepest river in the world is the Congo River. Its deepest measured sections reach roughly 220 meters (about 720 feet), making it deeper than any other recorded river channel.

The Congo flows across central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. It is Africa’s second-longest river after the Nile and carries the world’s second-largest river discharge after the Amazon, depending on how river systems are compared.

Its extraordinary depth is linked to the steep-sided Lower Congo, where the river cuts through a narrow geological gorge. Powerful currents and underwater channels make parts of the river difficult to navigate and study. The Congo is also unusual because its basin straddles the Equator, allowing rainfall from northern and southern regions to sustain its flow throughout the year.

A common mix-up is confusing depth with length or volume: the Amazon is generally the largest by discharge, while the Nile is longer by many conventional measurements.