Benue River, previously known as the Chadda River or Tchadda, is the major tributary of the Niger River. The size of its catchment basin is 319,000 km2 (123,000 mi2). Almost its entire length of approximately 1,400 km (870 mi) is navigable during the summer months. As a result, it is an important transportation route in the regions through which it flows. The name Benue comes from bernor, meaning 'river or lake of hippos’ in the Tiv.