THE 7 MOST OUTSTANDING RIVERS OF CALI - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The rivers of Cali are born in the mountains that separate the city from the Pacific coast; some travel through the valley that extends to the Cauca River. The seven most important distribute water for consumption in the city and in nearby municipalities.

The most recognized are the Cali and Cauca rivers. In its riverbeds, extensive crops are grown, mainly sugar cane.

For a few decades the environmental deterioration of the rivers of this region of Colombia has been seen.

Departmental and municipal authorities develop recovery or protection plans for their hydrographic basins.

The 7 main rivers of Cali

1- Cali River

The Cali river is born in the west of the city, between the hills of Cristo Rey and the Tres Cruces, and runs for 50 kilometers until it flows into the Cauca river.

Its hydrographic basin, where forests predominate, extends over 11,920 hectares and has as tributaries the Florida, Aguacatal, Cabuyal and Pichindé rivers.

It runs through the soil of the Farallones de Cali National Natural Park, as well as the townships of La Leonera, the Andes, Felidia and Pichindé,

The flow of the Cali River ranges from 1 m³ / s to 12.9 m³ / s, with an average of 4.04 m³ / s.

2- Cauca River

The Cauca River is born in the Sotará páramo and supplies 80% of the population of Cali. This river is born in the Colombian Massif and flows into the Magdalena River to the north, in the department of Bolívar.

The Cauca River receives the waste from almost 600 companies located between Cali and Yumbo.

3- Pance River

The Pance River is born at Pance Peak, in the mountains of the Farallones de Cali, at 4000 meters above sea level, and runs 25 kilometers from west to east until it flows into the Jamundí River, which in turn is a tributary of the Cauca.

It has a flow of 2.5 m³ / s and is one of the most visited by tourists. Along its route, it is easy to find numerous restaurants and entertainment venues where you can practice extreme sports.

4- Cañaveralejo River

This river is one of the main tributaries of the Cali River. It is born in the western mountain range, in the Farallones National Natural Park. It reaches the southern intersecting channel and empties into the Cauca River.

5- Lili River

It travels 15 kilometers after its birth in the village of Villa Carmelo. After crossing the urban center of Cali, it ends at the southern intersector channel; from there its waters go to the Cauca River.

6- River Meléndez

The Meléndez River is born in La Corea at 2,800 meters above sea level, in the Los Farallones National Natural Park, and runs for 20 kilometers.

Its basin has an area of ​​3,832 hectares and is located between the Cañaveralejo and Lili rivers. Before arriving in Cali, visit La Buitrera, Villacarmelo and the Andes.

7- Aguacatal River

He was born in the north of Cali, in the La Elvira district. Its route is 15 kilometers and flows into the Cali River.

References

1. Restrepo, JD, & Kjerfve, B. (2004). The Pacific and Caribbean rivers of Colombia: water discharge, sediment transport and dissolved loads. In Environmental geochemistry in tropical and subtropical environments (pp. 169-187). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
2. Correa, I., & Morton, R. (2010). Pacific coast of Colombia. In Encyclopedia of the World's Coastal Landforms (pp. 193-198). Springer Netherlands.
3. Lasso, J., & Zapata, L. (1999). Fisheries and biology of Coryphaena hippurus (Pisces: Coryphaenidae) in the Pacific coast of Colombia and Panama. Scientia Marina, 63 (3-4), 387-399.
4. Cardona Guerrero, JG (1994). Colombian Pacific Basin: bases for experimental agroforestry and livestock designs. Manual, (2).
5. Romero, J. (2009). Economic Geography of the Colombian Pacific (Vol. 116). Bank of the Republic.