Current availability and distribution of Congo Basin’s freshwater resources

Abstract The Congo Basin is of global significance for biodiversity and the water carbon cycles. However, its freshwater availability distribution remain relatively unknown. Using satellite data, here we show that currently Basin’s Total Drainable Water Storage lies within a range 476 km 3 to 502 , unevenly distributed throughout region, with 63% being stored in southernmost sub-basins, Kasaï (220–228 ) Lualaba (109–169 ), while northern sub-basins contribute only 173 ± 8 . We further estimate hydraulic time constant draining entire storage be 4.3 0.1 months, but, regionally, permanent wetlands large lakes act as resistors resulting greater constants up 105 months. Our provides robust basis address challenges demand 120 million inhabitants, population expected double few decades.