- Main rivers of Santander
- Carare River
- Tona River
- Sogamoso River
- Suratá River
- Suarez River
- Cold river
- References
The rivers of Santander, for the most part, flow into the Magdalena River. This river is the main one in the Republic of Colombia.
This water source extends from the Central and Eastern Andean Cordilleras in the south to the Caribbean Sea in the north, and runs through the western portion of that nation for more than 1500 kilometers.
Magdalena river bridge
The Magdalena is the fifth largest river basin in South America and is an extremely fertile river valley.
Its basin has historically been exploited to support economic development. It produces 80% of the national GDP (gross domestic product), 75% of its hydraulic energy and 70% of the country's agriculture.
You may also be interested in the relief of Santander.
Main rivers of Santander
Carare River
This Colombian river is born in the department of Cundinamarca and, before reaching Santander, it crosses the department of Boyacá, flowing into the Magdalena river on its right bank.
It covers 170 km, and its hydrographic basin has about 7,100 km². At the beginning of its course, it is known by the name of Miner. Already in the territory of the department of Santander it changes its name to Carare.
Tona River
Its source is located between the Páramos of Pescadero and San Turbán del Macizo de Santander. This is one of the rivers of Santander that is not a tributary of the Magdalena, but instead flows into the Suratá river.
Its maximum elevations are 3850 m, and it has an afferent basin of 19.4 km². In general, its course is south-southwest. Among its main tributaries are the Golondrinas, El Puerto, Campo Hermoso and other streams.
Sogamoso River
The Sogamoso River is formed when the Chicamocha River and the Suárez River converge. In fact, this water source receives several names during its journey. This is born in the Mesa de Juan Rodríguez at 3,050 meters above sea level.
In that place, it receives the name of Río del Oro, being paid by the Hato river. Then, near the city of Girón (Santander), it is paid by the Cold. About ten kilometers away, it joins the Suratá river, calling itself Lebrija.
In the province of Soto (Santander) it is known as Chicamocha. And it is in Saravita, province of Santander, where it is finally called Sogamoso.
This river, one of the most important rivers in Santander, crosses the Serranía de la Paz, and then becomes navigable. In the end, it flows into the Magdalena.
Suratá River
The source of the Suratá river is located in the Monsalve moor, and has an afferent area of 689 km².
This runs from northeast to southwest, ending in the Río de Oro. Its main tributary is the Tona, although the Vetas and Charta rivers also make great contributions.
Suarez River
The Suárez River belongs to the Great Magdalena Basin, and is the main river of Guavatá (Municipality of the department of Santander).
With a height of 3000 meters above sea level, it is born in the Laguna de Fúquene, covering a total of 9823 km². Of all this extension, 35.25% corresponds to Santander.
Cold river
Another of the main rivers of Santander is the Frío River. This originates near the Alto del Picacho.
Its elevation is approximately 2850 meters above sea level. It has an afferent basin of 11.9 km² until it empties into the Río de Oro.
References
- Magdalena River. (s / f). At International Rivers. Retrieved on November 17, 2017, from internationalrivers.org.
- ENV - Ecosystem-based adaptation in the Magdalena river basin. (2017, November 15). USAID. Retrieved on November 17, 2017, from usaid.gov.
- Carare, river. (s / f). In Enciclonet. Retrieved on November 17, 2017, from enciclonet.com.
- Water sources (s / f). Bucaramanga Metropolitan Aqueduct. Retrieved on November 17, 2017, from amb.com.co.
- Bohórquez Barrera, J. and Palacio Leal, GE (2008). Circulation and consumption in the Sogamoso and Lebrija river basins: merchants and consumers in the 18th century. Critical History, No. 35, pp. 176-200.
- Guavata - Santander municipality territorial organization scheme. (s / f). Industrial University of Santander. Retrieved on November 17, 2017, from cdim.esap.edu.co.