The Bengawan River, Solo is about 540 km in length and is considered to be the longest river of the island of Java. The river plays an important role in the island by providing water to inhabitants and farmlands of the eastern and northern parts of the island. Bengawan River originates from the volcano of Mount Lawu, which is situated in central Java. From Mount Lawu, the river flows towards a northerly direction through the Sewu Mountains and during its course the river is linked with other tributaries like Madiun and Brantas rivers, all of which are significant rivers themselves. As the Bengawan River flows toward the east, the river passes through the Kendang Mountains and reaches the Solo Valley proper and the river finally passes through Surakarta or Solo. After reaching the city of Solo, Bengawan River eventually arrives at its outlet on the Java Sea near Solo.
Despite being an important river, Bengawan River has become shallow now and is not navigable anymore. But then, the river used to be a significant link between Solo and the north cost of East Java. Bengawan River has become an icon in Solo and a popular song called “Bengawan Solo” also has been composed by Mr. Gesang. The song was composed during World War II, when the city was under Japanese occupation. The song portrays the legendary river in a poetic and nostalgic manner; the song mentions mountains surrounding the river, its sources and its final journey to the Java Sea. For the last thirty years special efforts and significant investments have been made by the local authorities to develop the irrigation facility of the Bengawan River. Several buildings, reservoir, dam, dike, irrigation net have been built around the river, all of which will contribute appreciably to farming, industry, drinking water facility, fishery, and others.
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