The Complete List of Rivers in Singapore

Singapore’s waterways quietly stitch together parks, housing estates and industrial zones, shaping local ecology and stormwater management. From hidden creeks and mangrove channels to lined urban canals, the network tells a lot about how the city balances development and nature.

There are 35 Rivers in Singapore, ranging from Alexandra Canal to Sungei Whampoa; for each entry you’ll find below the Region, Length (km), and Status & notable (max 15 words) to make comparisons easy and informative—see the list you’ll find below.

How are the rivers measured and what does “Status & notable” mean?

Lengths are listed in kilometres based on mapped channel extent; Region groups the waterway by planning area or catchment. “Status” notes whether the river is natural, canalised, culverted or restored, while “notable” gives a brief (≤15 words) highlight like habitat, historical use or public access.

Can I visit these waterways and are there trails or restrictions?

Access varies: many rivers run alongside park connectors and are freely visitable, while others are within industrial zones or underground and not open to the public. Check local park maps, signage and NParks or URA resources for trail information and any permit requirements.

Rivers in Singapore

Images and Descriptions

Singapore River

Run through the Central Business District. Serve as Singapore’s historic harbour and trade heart. Undergo major clean-up and redevelopment. Offer boat tours, riverside dining and walking paths. Include because it is the island’s best-known river and a key urban waterway.

Kallang River

Flow across central-east Singapore into the Kallang Basin. Form one of the island’s larger freshwater catchments. Feature park connectors and boating at the basin. Appear as a major urban river with active recreation.

Kranji River

Run in the north-west near the Kranji area. Feed wetlands and coastal mudflats. Support wildlife and migratory birds. Remain important for rural and reservoir landscapes.

Sungei Seletar

Lie in the north near Seletar and surrounding mangroves. Form a small coastal river system. Support local biodiversity and mangrove habitats. Serve as a named waterway in northern Singapore.

Sungei Serangoon

Flow through the north-east toward the coast. Pass through urban and semi-natural stretches. Appear in local drainage and park connector networks. Serve neighbourhoods in the Serangoon area.

Sungei Punggol

Run through north-east Punggol and Punggol Waterway Park. Feature a landscaped waterway used for kayaking and walking. Represent modern canalised river design for recreation and drainage.

Sungei Pandan

Lie in the west-southwest near Pandan and Jurong areas. Act as a drainage and natural stream in parts. Connect to coastal or reservoir systems. Stand as a named western waterway.

Sungei Jurong

Run in western Singapore near Jurong industrial and park areas. Serve as a local tributary and drainage channel. Connect to larger water bodies and parklands in the west.

Geylang River

Run through the Geylang neighbourhood in the east-central area. Undergo canalisation for flood control. Border park connectors and local green spaces. Provide an urban river corridor.

Rochor River

Cut across central Rochor and Kallang zones. Undergo major canalisation and realignment for development. Link to Kallang Basin and city drainage. Remain historically significant in urban planning.

Sungei Whampoa

Flow through central residential areas near Whampoa and Toa Payoh. Act as a local urban stream and drainage channel. Feature park connectors and green buffers in built-up zones.

Sungei Bedok

Run in the east around Bedok and East Coast areas. Serve as a coastal river moving freshwater to the sea. Border parks and housing estates. Feature as a named eastern waterway.

Sungei Tampines

Lie in the eastern Tampines area. Act as a local river feeding drains and park systems. Support neighbourhood greenery and drainage management. Serve as a common local waterway name.

Sungei Buloh

Form the core of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in the north-west. Support mangroves, mudflats and rich birdlife. Act as a top site for nature watching and conservation. Include because of its ecological importance.

Sungei Khatib Bongsu

Flow at the northern coast near Khatib Bongsu and Sembawang. Support coastal mangroves and bird habitats. Remain part of northern wetland landscapes and local ecology.

Sungei Mandai

Run in the northern Mandai area. Pass through forested and semi-natural zones. Feed northern waterways and support wildlife corridors. Act as a named river in the north.

Sungei Ulu Pandan

Pass through central-west Ulu Pandan and Bukit Timah fringes. Undergo urban drainage works and parkland creation. Contain green corridors and walking trails in places. Serve local flood control functions.

Alexandra Canal

Form a canalised waterway in central-west Alexandra and Queenstown. Provide urban drainage and riverfront promenades. Contain concrete channels and park links. Serve as an engineered canal rather than a natural river.

Stamford Canal

Run through the civic and downtown core as a canal. Manage stormwater and link to city drains. Appear in the central drainage network near older city areas. Act as a small engineered watercourse.

Sungei Api Api

Represent a small named stream or drainage channel in Singapore. Appear in local maps and development plans. Serve as a minor waterway within built-up or coastal zones.

Sungei Pang Sua

Form a local river or canal in western Singapore. Serve drainage, green space margins, and neighbourhoods. Appear on planning maps as a named waterway in the west.

Sungei Lanchar

Act as a minor stream or tributary in Singapore’s river network. Serve local drainage and small wetland pockets. Appear in regional lists of named waterways.

Sungei Sembawang

Flow along the northern Sembawang coast. Support coastal mangroves and local fishing history. Border naval and residential zones in the north. Serve as a northern river feature.

Sungei China

Appear as a small named stream or drainage channel. Serve local neighbourhood drainage and minor wetland areas. Feature on detailed local maps and river lists.

Sungei Puaka

Serve as a minor waterway or creek in Singapore. Act in local drainage and natural patches. Appear as a named river in regional records.

Sungei Murai

Run in the far west near Murai and Tuas precincts. Feed coastal areas and local reservoirs in the west. Serve as a western river with rural and industrial surroundings.

Sungei Tengeh

Lie in the western Tengeh area and feed into Tengeh Reservoir or western coastal zones. Act as a feeder stream and local river. Support offbeat mangrove and coastal habitats.

Sungei Poyan

Form a small river or canal in western or coastal parts of Singapore. Serve drainage and local ecosystems. Feature as a named minor watercourse.

Sungei Jelutong

Act as a local stream or drainage channel in Singapore. Serve neighbourhoods and green corridors. Appear as a named waterway in planning documents.

Sungei Mamam

Represent a minor creek or drainage line. Serve local stormwater needs and small natural patches. Appear on some local maps as a named water feature.

Pelton Canal

Form an engineered canal used for urban drainage. Sit in built-up areas and support flood control. Feature as a named canal rather than a natural river.

Sungei Simpang

Run as a local stream or drainage channel in various parts of Singapore. Serve parks, estates, and stormwater systems. Appear in lists of named rivers and tributaries.

Sungei Kadut

Flow through the north-west Kadut industrial and agricultural area. Serve local drainage and pond systems. Support small natural pockets and industrial land uses.

Sungei Pinang

Act as a minor river or canal in Singapore’s network. Serve drainage, park edges, and local habitats. Appear as a named waterway in regional records.

Sungei Blukar

Represent a small stream or drainage watercourse. Serve local neighbourhoods and wet patches. Appear on detailed local maps as a named river.

Rivers in Other Countries