| Cauca River | |
|---|---|
_(7241470126).jpg) | |
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| Location | |
| Country | Colombia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Colombian Massif |
| Mouth | |
• location | Magdalena River |
| Length | 965 km (600 mi) |
TheCauca River (Spanish:Río Cauca) is a river inColombia that lies between theOccidental andCentralcordilleras. From its headwaters in southwestern Colombia near the city ofPopayán, it joins theMagdalena River nearMagangué inBolívar Department, and the combined river eventually flows out into theCaribbean Sea. It has a length of 965 km (600 mi) to its junction with the Magdalena, for a total length of 1,350 km (840 mi). The river is under the supervision of theCauca Regional Corporation and theCauca Valley Regional Autonomous Corporation, and is navigable for 640 km (400 mi) above its junction with the Magdalena.
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On November 18, 2007, Colombian newspaperEl Tiempo reported that the river was receiving an average of 500 tons of residual waste a day. Pollution from the city ofPopayán, seven gold mines that also add industrial pollutants such as mercury, some 8 sand mills, plus a couple of mines ofcoal andbauxite.Cali, the largest city on the river, depends on the river in a 76 percent. Adding to these other affluent rivers collect residual waters from other major cities and deposit an approximate of 330 tons of residual waste into the river. By the time it gets toYumbo the river has no oxygen.[1]
TheHidroituango energy dam project has seriously affected the Cauca River.[2] The dam has decreased its flow in some parts, up to 80%.
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| National | |
