Desaguadero River (Bolivia and Peru)

Desaguadero
The Desaguadero River at its origin as seen from the ISS (upper center, left; north is to the lower right part of this image)
Sketch map of the area showing Desaguadero River
Location
CountryPeru, Bolivia
RegionAltiplano
CitiesDesaguadero, San Andrés, Oruro
Physical characteristics
SourceLake Titicaca
 • locationDesaguadero, Peru
 • coordinates16°33′49″S 69°02′11″W / 16.56361°S 69.03639°W / -16.56361; -69.03639
 • elevation3,811 m (12,503 ft)
MouthPoopó Lake
 • location
50 kilometres (31 mi) S of Oruro, Bolivia
 • coordinates
18°26′31″S 67°04′22″W / 18.44194°S 67.07278°W / -18.44194; -67.07278
 • elevation
3,686 m (12,093 ft)
Length320 km (200 mi)
Basin size90,000 km2 (35,000 sq mi)approx.
Discharge 
 • locationUlloma
 • average78 m3/s (2,800 cu ft/s)
 • minimum28 m3/s (990 cu ft/s)
 • maximum282 m3/s (10,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftCh'alla Jawira, Llallawa Jawira,
Jach'a Jawira (Caquiaviri),
Thujsa Jawira, Qala Jawira,
Jach'a Jawira (Ingavi)
 • rightQullpa Jawira

The Desaguadero River, also known as Risawariru or Uchusumain, is a river shared between Bolivia and Peru. It drains Lake Titicaca from the southern part of the river basin, flowing south and draining approximately five percent of the lake's flood waters into Lake Uru Uru and Lake Poopó.[1] Its source in the north is very near the Peruvian border.

It is navigable only by small craft and supports indigenous communities such as the Uru Muratu community.

  1. ^ "Desaguadero River (river, Bolivia)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2007-07-12.