HYDROGRAPHY OF ARGENTINA: RIVERS, OCEANS, GROUNDWATER - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The hydrography of Argentina is considered one of the most diverse in South America, given that it has a great variety of rivers, lakes, lagoons, groundwater and even ice fields. The location of this country allows you to find different types of rivers, ranging from the most mighty to other shorter and navigable.

The classification of rivers in the country will depend on the outlet of their waters. Therefore, three types of basins are estimated: exorheic (that discharge into the sea or oceans), endorheic (the main mouths are rivers and lakes), and finally the arreicas, whose rivers are lost by infiltration or other natural phenomena.

Due to the hydroelectric potential of several of these sources, complex projects have been carried out where the citizens of the country, as well as neighboring nations, will be able to benefit in the future.

Rivers

To understand the surface water system in Argentina, it is necessary to clarify that there is a hydrographic system divided mainly into three geographical areas:

- Exorheic basins

It refers to types of rivers that find an outlet to the sea or the ocean. It is subdivided into the following elements:

Atlantic slope

It covers a total area of ​​more than 3 million km2, which is why it is considered the largest and most important in the country. It is made up of three main systems:

La Plata Basin

It includes the most important rivers such as Paraná, Uruguay, Paraguay, Salado, Iguazú and Río de la Plata; the latter the largest in the country. Likewise, this basin also shares territories with Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Central Sistem

Rivers whose drainage is directly with the Atlantic, coming mainly from Buenos Aires.

Patagonian rivers

They descend from the Andes Mountains and flow to Tierra del Fuego. It is estimated that its floods occur twice a year: during the rainy season and also due to the melting of snow.

Some of the most important rivers that make this path are the Chubut River, Santa Cruz and Negro River.

Pacific slope

It is a small area made up of rivers that run from the Andes Mountains and cross to Chile. The most important torrent within this system is the Futaleufú River (also known as Grande), whose flow is fed by glacial lakes and the Chubut River.

- Endorheic basins

The main characteristic of the rivers that are in this category is that they flow into lakes, other rivers or simply evaporate. It is estimated that this system is of vital importance for the country, since it is the main source for irrigation inland.

It is subdivided into the following areas:

Central basin

Made up of rivers and sources of the interior, constituted in turn by three main systems:

Desaguadero river system

It is also said that it is of a temporary nature, since in floods its waters can reach the sea. In this case, the Desaguadero river receives the flows of several tributaries, such as the San Juan, Mendoza, Tunuyán and Diamante and Atuel rivers.

It is worth mentioning that dams have been built in this area to take advantage of the potential of hydroelectric energy, such as the Agua del Toro dam and the Ullum dam.

Mar Chiquita System

Located in the province of Córdoba, this lagoon receives water from the Primero River and the Segundo River. In addition, it seems to communicate with the Guaraní aquifer, which is almost a thousand kilometers away from the Atlantic.

Quinto river system

It originates in the Sierra de San Luis and its waters communicate with the Salado river underground. In times of flood, the Quinto River is capable of serving as a tributary to the La Plata Basin.

Pampa Basin

In this area of ​​plains there are about 20 smaller-scale rivers, but which has a great hydroelectric and irrigation value. Among the most important rivers are the Salí, the Primero, the Segundo and the Salado del Sur.

Andean basin

These are born in the Cordillera de los Andes until they flow into lakes and lagoons. In some cases, they also find their drainage in other Arraic sources. Some more important rivers are: Dulce River, Abaucán River (or also called Colorado del Norte) and the Bermejo River.

However, there are two streams that manage to reach the Atlantic: the Grande de Jujuy river and the Salado del Norte river.

Arreicas basins

They are rivers whose course is difficult to follow. In some cases they are lost through evaporation or infiltration. It is common to see this phenomenon in arid areas such as Chaco, La Pampa and Puna.

Oceans

Between the limits of Argentina are the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, thanks to its connection with the Beagle Channel and with the Drake Passage.

Thanks to this and the variety of its climate, the country has a varied selection of rivers, lakes and lagoons with potential for recreation and economic and energy activities.

Lakes and lagoons

The vast majority of the lakes in Argentina are in Patagonia. Some of these are General Vitter, Buenos Aires, Pueyrredón, San Martí and Fagano, which are also shared with Chile.

Others with equal importance are: Argentino Lake, Viedma, Nahuel Huapi, Colhé Huapi and the Musters.

In the case of the lagoons, these are located throughout the territory, although part of them end up evaporating or changing their condition due to having marine waters.

Groundwater

The Guaraní aquifer is the largest in the country and is shared with other nations such as Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. This, in addition, makes it the main source of fresh water for these regions.

The Puelches aquifer also stands out, which extends through Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe. One of its characteristics is that it has a depth of up to 120 m. Other aquifers that should be noted are the Pampeano, Paraná, Ituzaingó, Salto and Salto Chico.

Groundwater is particularly important in arid areas, so those found in that area are cared for and duly controlled for their subsequent use, both for human consumption and for industry.

Humidity

One of the factors that undoubtedly affect the climate and humidity of the country are the winds that come from the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Antarctic circle.

The areas with the highest presence of humidity are those found on the coast of La Pampa and south of this same area, also called El Pampero.

Precipitation

Summer is the time when the so-called downpours mostly occur, the duration of which will vary as the season progresses. These showers occur specifically in the central areas and in parts of the north.

On the other hand, in the southern zone - in parts of the Andes Mountains and in the Patagonian plateaus - it is possible to find snowfall, frost and hail, especially during September and December.

References

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