During the flood season, the delta can grow to 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles). During the dry season, it can shrink to 3,900 square kilometers (1,500 square miles). The flatness of the delta region—it drops only 8 meters (26 feet) over its entire length—leads to this large spread of water.

In the images, dark blue to black areas represent open water. The water expands and then noticeably begins shrinking in December. Any bright green, which is actively growing vegetation, also begins to diminish by late December. Dark blotches in the June image are bare ground. And this is roughly what it will look like again the following June.

These 2014 images show a flood level that was close to average.

Imagery

Every picture has a story to tell
June 6, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 197/50) — Seasonal change in the Niger River Inland Delta, Mali
Aug. 25, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 197/50) — Seasonal change in the Niger River Inland Delta, Mali
Sep. 26, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 197/50) — Seasonal change in the Niger River Inland Delta, Mali
Oct. 28, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 197/50) — Seasonal change in the Niger River Inland Delta, Mali
Dec. 15, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 197/50) — Seasonal change in the Niger River Inland Delta, Mali
Dec. 31, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 197/50) — Seasonal change in the Niger River Inland Delta, Mali

Correlated

Additional story information
Downloads

Other Stories

Related imagery and additional content
Annual Change
Annual Change

In the flooded season, this part of Mali’s landscape stands out as bri...

Mopti
Mopti

The busy port city Mopti is located at the confluence of the Niger and...

Northern Delta
Northern Delta

In the northern portion of the delta, channels fill in between sand du...

Seasonal Flooding
Seasonal Flooding

During the flood season, the delta can grow to 20,000 square kilometer...

Southern Delta
Southern Delta

The Inland Niger Delta lies in the transition between a seasonally wet...