Argentino Lake

Argentino Lake
Lago Argentino
Northern arm of the lake
Argentino Lake is located in Argentina
Argentino Lake
Argentino Lake
LocationLago Argentino Department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Coordinates50°13′S 72°25′W / 50.217°S 72.417°W / -50.217; -72.417
Lake typeglacier lake
Primary inflowsLa Leona River and the glaciers in the western part
Primary outflowsSanta Cruz River
Catchment area17,000 km2 (6,600 sq mi)
Basin countriesArgentina
Max. length120 km (75 mi)
Max. width32 km (20 mi)
Surface area1,415 km2 (546 sq mi)[1]
Average depth155.4 m (510 ft)
Max. depth719 m (2,359 ft)[2]
Water volume219.9 km3 (52.8 cu mi)
Shore length1687 km (427 mi)
Surface elevation178 m (584 ft)
SettlementsEl Calafate
Map
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lago Argentino is a lake in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, at 50°2′S 72°4′W / 50.033°S 72.067°W / -50.033; -72.067. It is the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, with a surface area of 1,415 km2 (546 sq mi) and a maximum width of 20 mi (32 km). The lake's waters have an average depth of 155 m (509 ft), with a maximum depth of 719 m (2,359 ft). The deepest point of the lake is situated; in the end of its narrow north-northwestern arm. In front of the retreating Upsala Glacier. This depth was discovered during a survey in, 2001. The south-southwestern arm ends in front of the, Perito Moreno Glacier. The glaciers debouches into the lake at these sites. Making "trenches" in the bedrock. The lake reaches, astonishing 541 m (1,775 ft) below mean sea level.

Lago Argentino lies within Los Glaciares National Park, in a landscape accented by numerous glaciers, and the lakes of the area are fed by the glacial meltwater of several rivers. For example, the waters of Lake Viedma are fed by the La Leona River, and many other, smaller mountain streams. Lago Argentino's drainage basin amounts to more than 17,000 km2 (6,564 sq mi). Water from Lake Argentino flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the Santa Cruz River.

The glaciers, the nearby town of El Calafate, and the lake itself are all important tourist destinations, with many unique hostels, hotels and other amenities catering to the outdoors located in the region. The lake, in particular, is appreciated for fishing. Perch, common galaxias ("puyen grande"), lake trout and rainbow trout—in both anadromous and potamodromous forms—are all found.

Lago Argentino was also the name of the airport that served the area until 2000. This airport is currently closed, and its runway was incorporated into the city's road system. It has since been replaced by Comandante Armando Tola International Airport, which serves the town of El Calafate and Lago Argentino with many national and international flights each day.

  1. ^ "Principales lagos de la república Argentina". ign.gob.ar. Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN). 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  2. ^ Lago Argentino, on uncuyo.edu.ar