Río Desaguadero

The Río Desaguadero is an important river of the Argentinian west , which has a length of 1.515 kilomètros, and is called in a very diverse way throughout its course. The name of Desaguadero is accepted because it milked with the greatest section of the river.

Cours superior

He is born on the slopes from the peak from the Nacimiento del Bonete , in the North-West of the province of Rioja almost with the borders of that of Catamarca to a few 5.500 m of altitude, in the Frontal Cordillera which precedes Andes cordillera. In these deserted areas it receives successively them names of Río de Oro , Río Bonete and Río Jagüé although one especially knows it under designations of Río de Vinchina or Bermejo . It follows the direction south-south-east and traverses is province of San Juan where it receives water of the Río Jáchal and of the Río San Juan.

Cours inferior

When he arrives at the limits of the provinces of Mendoza, San Luis and San Juan he penetrates in a zone depressed, where its water forms a lake system called Lagunas de Guanacache (system practically desiccated since one century). It receives the name of Desaguadero consequently. It forms then the limit between the provinces of Mendoza and San Luis until the 36º parallel south where it penetrates in the territory of the province of the Pampa. In this one and until the southern 36º16', it receives (always Western side) the contributions of the Río Tunuyán, Río Diamante then Río Atuel. The regular overflows of the two rivers (Atuel and Desaguadero) joined together form the ponds and marshes called Bañados del Atuel .

In the south of these Bañados and to the lagoons Urre Lauquén and Dulce one calls it Chadileuvú or Chadileo , terms of the language Mapudungun which mean Río Salado Spanish name also used to indicate this section of Desaguadero.

Having exceeded the Laguna Urre Lauquén it receives its last name, Río Curacó ( water of stone ), it is still put in communication with the Laguna Amarga located on its line, then sometimes, if its flow is sufficient, it runs towards south-east where soon it joins the Río Colorado, with the borders of the Patagonie.

External bond

Argentinian river Basins

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