Lake Argentino

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Lake Argentino
lake with Perito Moreno glacier
Coordinates	50°2′S 72°4′WCoordinates: 50°2′S 72°4′W
Primary outflows	Santa Cruz River
Catchment area	17,000 km²
Basin countries	Argentina
Surface area	1,466 km²
Average depth	150 m
Max. depth	500 m
Water volume	219.9 mio m³
Surface elevation	187 m
Settlements	El Calafate

Lake Argentino (in Spanish, Lago Argentino) is a freshwater lake located in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, at 50°2′S, 72°4′W. It is the biggest lake in Argentina, with a surface area of 1,466 km² (maximum width: 20 km). It has an average depth of 150 m, and a maximum of 500 m.

Northern arm.

The lake lies within the Los Glaciares National Park, in a landscape with numerous glaciers and is fed by the glacial meltwater of several rivers, the water from Lake Viedma brought by the La Leona River, and many mountain streams. Its drainage basin amounts to more than 17,000 km².

The glaciers, the nearby town of El Calafate and the lake itself are important touristic destinations. The lake in particular is appreciated for fishing.

Lago Argentino is also the name of the airport (IATA: ING, ICAO: SAWA) that serves the area, located at 50°20′S, 72°15′W. The town of El Calafate is sometimes called Lago Argentino. This Airport is currently closed and has been replaced by Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (IATA: FTE, ICAO: SAWC) which serves the town of Calafate and Lago Argentino, with many daily national and international flights.