Once thought to be the longest river in Jamaica but has more recently lost that title to the Rio Minho, the Black River, originates in the mountains of Manchester and flows west where it disappears underground and re-emerges in St Elizabeth.

 

Measuring 53.4 kilometres (33 miles), it is navigable for about 40 kilometres (25 miles), and is supported by many tributaries including Y.S., Broad, Grass and Horse Savannah.

 

The river get's its name from the darkness of the river bed that has over the years been lined with thick layers of decomposing vegetaion. This gives the river a dark almost black hue especially in the more thickly vegetated areas.