Río Negro (Uruguay)

Map of the Rio de la Plata Basin, showing the Río Negro joining the Uruguay River north of Buenos Aires.

The Río Negro (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈri.o ˈneɣɾo], Black River) is the most important river in Uruguay.[1] It originates in the southern highlands of Brazil, just east of Bagé, and flows west across the entire width of Uruguay to the Uruguay River. The course of the Río Negro across Uruguay effectively divides the south of the country from the north. The Río Negro's principal tributary and the country's second most important river is the Yí River.

Flooding along the river.

The river is dammed near Paso de los Toros, creating the Rincón del Bonete Reservoir, also called the Gabriel Terra Reservoir or the Rio Negro Reservoir. With a surface area of about 4,000 square miles (10,000 km2), it is the largest reservoir in South America.[2]

Downstream from the Rincón del Bonete Reservoir, there are two more dams, one at Baygorria and the 'Constitution Dam' at Palmar,[3] which generate hydroelectric power for Uruguay.[2]

The Río Negro's drainage basin size is about 69,700 square kilometres (26,900 sq mi).[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Groundwater Resources of Uruguay". International Association of Hydrological Sciences. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Negro River". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  3. ↑ Page about the Constitution Dam at Palmar

External links

Coordinates: 33°24′S 58°22′W / 33.400°S 58.367°W