The Nile River is relatively shallow compared to many major rivers, with an average depth of about 8 to 11 meters (roughly 26 to 36 feet). In some associated water bodies like Lake Victoria at its headwaters, depths can reach well over 200 meters, but the flowing river itself usually stays within that 8–11 meter range.
Average depth
Most general references describe the Nile’s typical depth as around 26–36 feet (8–11 meters) along much of its course. This is deep enough for navigation and river traffic but much shallower than the world’s deepest rivers, such as the Congo.
Variations along its course
Depth varies with location and season, becoming shallower in some stretches and deeper in others. Near its source in Lake Victoria, the connected lake basin reaches depths of over 80 meters (more than 260 feet), though this refers to the lake, not the river channel itself.
Related dimensions
Sources that discuss depth often also note that the Nile’s width can reach several kilometers in some Egyptian reaches, especially after Aswan, where average depths of about 8–11 meters are reported together with widths of a few kilometers. These combined dimensions help explain why the Nile has long supported large-scale navigation, irrigation, and settlement along its banks.
