Ameca River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ameca River |
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View of the Ameca River
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 Location of mouth
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| Country | Mexico |
| State | Jalisco |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | 20°40′21″N 105°16′52″W / 20.6725°N 105.281°W |
| Length | 230 km (140 mi) |
The Ameca River (called Río Ameca in Spanish) is an important river in western Mexico. It is about 230 kilometers (143 miles) long. This river starts in the Bosque de la Primavera forest in Jalisco state. This forest is about 23 kilometers (14 miles) west of Guadalajara, a big city.
The Ameca River flows through the city of Ameca. Later, it forms a natural border between the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. Finally, it empties into the Pacific Ocean at Bahía de Banderas near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Its main smaller rivers that feed into it are the Ahuacatlán and Amatlán de Cañas.
Contents
The Ameca River's Journey
The Ameca River is a long and winding river. It travels through different landscapes in Mexico. Its journey starts in a forest and ends in the ocean.
River Dam and Lake La Vega
The Ameca River has a dam built across it. This dam is located just north of the town of La Vega, Jalisco. The dam creates a large reservoir (an artificial lake) called Lago La Vega. This lake stretches northward all the way to the town of Teuchitlán. Dams are often built to control water flow or to create a water supply.
Amazing Fish of the Ameca River
The Ameca River is home to several special kinds of fish. These fish are found only in the Ameca River basin (the area of land where all water drains into this river). Many of these unique fish are in danger.
Threatened Fish Species
Many fish species in the Ameca River basin are highly threatened. This means they are at risk of disappearing forever. Some of these fish include:
- The butterfly splitfin
- The Tequila splitfin
- The finescale splitfin
- The banded allotoca
- The golden skiffia
- The Amatlan chub
- The Ameca chub
- The Ameca shiner
Saving Rare Fish
Some of these fish are probably extinct in the wild. This means they no longer live freely in nature. The Tequila splitfin, finescale splitfin, and golden skiffia are examples of these. Luckily, they still survive in special care, like in aquariums.
The butterfly splitfin and banded allotoca were also thought to be gone from the wild. But, they have been found again! The Ameca shiner was once feared to be completely extinct. However, it also survives in captivity.
To help these fish, projects have started to put them back into the river. For example, a reintroduction project began in 2015. It aims to return the shiner and Tequila splitfin to their natural home.
See also
In Spanish: Río Ameca para niños
