RIVERS OF QUERÉTARO: MOST OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The rivers of Querétaro make up the hydrographic network of the entity, which is divided into two hydrological regions: Lerma-Santiago and Pánuco. Querétaro is a Mexican state with a territorial extension of 11 684 km ².

This state has a population of 1 827 937 inhabitants. It has 18 municipalities and its capital is Santiago de Querétaro.

Moctezuma River

It is located in the north central region of the country, limiting to the north with Guanajuato and San Luis de Potosí, to the south with Hidalgo and the state of Mexico and to the west with Michoacán.

Querétaro is crossed by the continental watershed. Due to its geographical location, it has no coasts.

Throughout its territory there are numerous rivers, lakes and springs that supply reservoirs and dams for the processing of drinking water and the generation of electricity.

You may also be interested in the natural resources of Querétaro.

The 2 hydrological regions of Querétaro

Querétaro participates in the two great national hydrographic regions Lerma-Santiago and Pánuco.

1- Lerma-Santiago hydrological region

This region is denominated with the number 12. It covers 21.52% of Querétaro's surface and supplies its metropolitan area, that is, its most populated region.

It drains its waters from the southwest of the state to the Lerma River and from there it empties into the Pacific Ocean.

This region is made up of two basins: La Laja, 19.42%; and Lerma-Toluca, 1.78%.

The main rivers in this region are the following:

- El Pueblito River and Querétaro

Its currents take advantage of the waters of various tributaries from the Zamorano volcano, in Colón, to pour into the La Laja river.

They cover an area of ​​2,800 km ² and their average annual displacement is 40 million cubic meters.

- Lerma River

It covers an area of ​​117 km ² and its annual average displacement is 9 million cubic meters.

It captures the currents belonging to the south of the entity, specifically those of the Amealco and Huimilpan municipalities.

2- Pánuco hydrological region

It is registered under number 26 and covers 78.8% of the state's surface.

It drains its waters from the southeast and center towards the Moctezuma River, and from the north towards the Santa María River until it reaches the Pánuco, and then flows into the Gulf of Mexico in the Atlantic Ocean.

It is made up of the Moctezuma basins, 55.56%; and Tamuín, 23.24%.

The main rivers of the Pánuco hydrological region are the following:

- Rio Moctezuma

It is a political border with the state of Hidalgo. It originates from the Zimapán dam, where the San Juan River and the Tula River converge. Its main tributary in the interior of the state is the Extoraz River.

The Moctezuma basin covers an area of ​​4,400 km ² and contributes an annual average displacement of 444 million cubic meters.

- San Juan River

It joins the Tula River to form the Moctezuma River. Its basin covers an area of ​​2,840 km ² and its annual average displacement is 184 million cubic meters.

- Santa Maria River

It serves as the northern limit with the state of San Luis de Potosí.

It crosses Guanajuato and Querétaro and returns to San Luis de Potosí taking the name of the Tampaón River. Then it is called Tamuín, and finally it joins the Moctezuma River.

Its basin covers an area of ​​1,905 km ² and its annual average displacement is 257 million cubic meters.

- Extoraz River

It covers the north of the state along with the Santa María River, specifically the Sierra Gorda region.

References

1. Spas, Waterfalls, Dams and Rivers of Querétaro. (sf). Retrieved on November 8, 2017 from: holaqueretaro.com
2. Querétaro state. (May 2009). In: aregional.com
3. Hydrography of Querétaro. (November 11, 2013). In: qroestado.blogspot.com
4. Queretaro. (October 30, 2017). In: es.wikipedia.org
5. Queretaro. Physical environment. (sf). Retrieved on November 8, 2017 from: siglo.inafed.gob.mx