Balsas River

Balsas River
Mezcala River, Atoyac River
Balsas River
Major rivers of Mexico, with Balsas in the southwest
Location
CountryMexico
StateMichoacán
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • location
Mangrove Point, Pacific Ocean
Length771 kilometers (479 mi)
Basin features
River systemConfluence of the San Martín River and Zahuapan River

The Balsas River (Spanish Río Balsas, also locally known as the Mezcala River, or Atoyac River) is a major river of south-central Mexico.

The basin flows through the states of Guerrero, México, Morelos, and Puebla. Downstream of Ciudad Altamirano, Guerrero, it forms the border between Guerrero and Michoacán.[1] The river flows through the Sierra Madre del Sur, and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Mangrove Point, adjacent to the city of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán.[2][3] Several rapids along the course of the Balsas River limit its navigability and thus the river has been largely used for generation of hydroelectric power, flood control and irrigation.[2]

  1. ^ "Ciudad Altamirano · Guerrero, Mexico". Ciudad Altamirano · Guerrero, Mexico. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Balsas River". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  3. ^ Mining and engineering world. Mining and Engineering World. 1909. p. 37.