MAJARDAH, WADI

also called Oued Medjerda, Latin Bagradas, main river of Tunisia. It rises in northeastern Algeria in the Medjerda Mountains and flows northeastward for 290 miles (460 km) to the Gulf of Tunis, draining an area of about 8,880 square miles (23,000 square km) before it enters the Mediterranean Sea. Dams along the river and its tributaries provide valuable irrigation water for the surrounding plains, which are a major wheat-growing area. The river's rate of discharge varies from less than 140 cubic feet (4 cubic m) per second in summer to between 53,000 and 88,000 cubic feet (1,500 to 2,500 cubic m) in winter. Main riverine settlements include Souk-Ahras in Algeria and Jundubah (Jendouba), Tunisia.