- The 3 main rivers of Antioquia
- 1- Magdalena River
- 2- Cauca River
- 3- Atrato River
- Minor rivers
- Medellin River
- Ox River
- San Jorge River
- Little River
- References
The rivers of Antioquia are abundant and mighty. It is a humid land that favors cultivation and livestock. Large tributaries are one of the reasons Antioquia is popular.
These tributaries result in lakes, lagoons, swamps, and reservoirs. In addition to these sources of fresh water, Antioquia has an outlet to the Caribbean Sea through the Gulf of Urabá. Therefore, it is a land with a lot of fresh and salt water.
The hydrographic wealth of Antioquia is the result of the tributaries of 3 large rivers that cross the region; These feed lagoons and swamps.
The 3 main rivers of Antioquia
1- Magdalena River
This river is one of the main causes of swamps and floods in lowlands.
It is fed by numerous tributaries on its way from south to north. In addition, it marks the eastern limit of the department.
Its mouth is in the Caribbean Sea and has a length of about 1500 km. Although it is neither the longest nor the most mighty, it is considered the main river in Colombia.
This is so because the Magdalena river basin occupies approximately 24% of the national territory.
2- Cauca River
The Cauca is a river with an immense basin and great influx. It is born in the páramos of the department of Cuaca, in the Laguna del Buey.
It empties directly into the Magdalena river, near the Bolivar department.
On its way through Antioquia, El Cauca houses a hydroelectric installation. This station belongs to the Ituango project, a chain of hydroelectric projects.
3- Atrato River
With its mouth in the Gulf of Urabá, the Atrato is one of the navigable rivers of Colombia.
Its basin is in an area of high rainfall, which is why it is a river of abundant flow.
It runs through part of Antioquia and almost the entire department of Chocó. Being navigable, it became the main means of transportation for the inhabitants of the area.
Minor rivers
Besides the 3 main rivers, Antioquia has many other rivers. These generally flow into one of the three large rivers.
Medellin River
It was born in Alto de San Miguel, in the municipality of Calcas. After joining the Rio Grande, the Porce river and the Nechí river, it flows into the Cauca.
It goes through Medellín, which is why it has become part of the daily life of the city.
Ox River
It is a popular river among extreme sports practitioners because its route has violent and abrupt stretches.
It is born at a confluence of small rivers in the La Ceja municipality, in eastern Antioquia.
Part of its waters are artificially diverted to the La Ceja reservoir, but its natural mouth is the Arma River.
San Jorge River
This river is born in the Ituango municipality and flows into the Cauca. It is rich in fish, but the current levels of contamination make the consumption of its fruits little recommended.
This contamination is due precisely to fishing with explosives.
Little River
As its name implies, it is a small river of about 40 km in length. It is born in the moor of Belmira and flows into the Rio Grande.
It is a northern tributary whose basin is protected by government regulations. This makes it one of the cleanest and best preserved rivers in the country.
References
- Bet on the conservation of rivers in Antioquia. (2017) kienyke.com
- Rivers of Antioquia. (2014) kayaksession.com
- Colombia - Floods Affect 2,000 After Rivers Overflow in Urabá, Antioquia. (2017) floodlist.com
- Outdoors adventures around Medellín. (2017) kimkim.com
- Rivers in Antioquia. minube.com