Primary outflows Santa Cruz River Surface area 1,415 km (546 sq mi) Max. depth 500 m (1,600 ft) Surface elevation 187 m Catchment area 17,000 km² Cities El Calafate | Basin countries Argentina Average depth 150 m (490 ft) Water volume 219.9 km (52.8 cu mi) Area 1,466 km² Outflow location Santa Cruz River | |
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Province Santa Cruz Province, Argentina | ||
Argentino lake santa cruz province patagonia argentina south america
Lago Argentino is a lake in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, at 50°2′S 72°4′W. It is the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina, with a surface area of 1,415 km2 (546 sq mi) (maximum width: 20 mi (32 km)). It has an average depth of 150 m (492 ft), and a maximum depth of 500 m (1,640 ft).
Contents
- Argentino lake santa cruz province patagonia argentina south america
- Map of Argentino Lake Santa Cruz Province Argentina
- References
Map of Argentino Lake, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
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 (6,564 sq mi). Waters from Lake Argentino flow into the Atlantic Ocean through the Santa Cruz River.
The glaciers, the nearby town of El Calafate and the lake itself are important tourist destinations. The lake in particular is appreciated for fishing. Perch, common galaxias, "puyen grande", lake trout and rainbow trout — in both anadromous and Potamodromous forms — are all found.
Lago Argentino was also the name of the airport that served the area until 2000. This airport is currently closed and its runway was incorporated into the city's road system. It has been replaced by Comandante Armando Tola International Airport which serves the town of El Calafate and Lago Argentino, with many daily national and international flights.