Balsas River
| Balsas River | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Mangrove Point, Pacific Ocean |
| Length | 771 kilometres (479 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Confluence of the San Martín River and Zahuapan River |
The Balsas River (Spanish Río Balsas, also locally known as Mezcala River, :in south-central Mexico drains the large Balsas Basin (a graben) which are largley in the states of Puebla, Morelos and Mexico bordered with Michoacan and Guerrero. The river empties into the Pacific Ocean at Mangrove Point, adjacent to the city of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán. [1][2]
The river has a number of different names along its length, including the Atoyac River in Puebla and the Mezcala in Guerrero. The navigation feasibility of the Balsas River was examined in the early twentieth century. As there are a number of rapids along the course of the Balsas its navigability potential is limited. However, the river has been largely utilised as a source for generation of hydroelectric power and to provide for irrigation.[1]
Geography
At a length of some 771 kilometres (479 mi) it is one of Mexico's longest rivers. The Balsas River originates at the confluence of the San Martin and Zahuapan Rivers as Atoyac River in the state of Puebla. From there it flows initially in a southwesterly direction and then flows westward into a depression through the state of Guerrero as its main river and flows into the Pacific Ocean.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Balsas River". Encycloapedia Brittanica.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accesdate=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Mining and engineering world. Mining and Engineering World. 1909. p. 37. Retrieved 26 December 2010.