Arque River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arque |
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| Country | Bolivia |
| Region | Cochabamba Department |
The Arque River is an important river in Bolivia. It is one of the main rivers that helps form the much larger Río Grande and Mamoré River. These rivers are part of a huge river system in South America.
Contents
Where the Arque River Starts
The Arque River begins high up in the mountains. Its source is in the Kimsa Cruz mountain range. This is on the western side of a mountain called Waylluma. The exact starting point is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northeast of the mining city of Oruro. It's also about 65 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of Cochabamba.
The River's Journey
The Arque River flows for about 50 kilometers (31 miles) towards the southeast. After this, it changes direction and turns northeast.
Along its path, the river passes by several towns and villages:
- At about 58 kilometers (36 miles) from its source, you'll find the town of Arque. It sits on the northern bank of the river.
- Further along, at 72 kilometers (45 miles), is the village of Umani. This village is located on the southern bank.
- Finally, at 85 kilometers (53 miles), the town of Capinota is found on the northern bank.
How Much Water Does It Carry?
The area of land that drains into the Arque River is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2,224 square kilometers (859 square miles).
Near Capinota, the river usually carries about 2 to 2.5 cubic meters of water per second. That's like two to two and a half large bathtubs full of water flowing by every second!
However, things change a lot during the rainy season. This season lasts from November to April. During this time, the river can swell up and carry a massive amount of water. The flow can reach up to 900 cubic meters per second. That's a huge difference!
The river also carries a lot of dirt and sand, called sediments, during the rainy season. It can carry up to 120 grams of sediment in every liter of water.
Joining Other Rivers
After flowing for a total of 88 kilometers (55 miles), the Arque River meets another river. It joins the Rocha River at an elevation of 2,350 meters (7,710 feet). When these two rivers meet, they form a new river called the Caine River.
The Caine River then flows for another 162 kilometers (101 miles). After this, it merges into the Río Grande. The Río Grande itself travels a total of 1,438 kilometers (894 miles) from the source of the Rocha River before it joins the Ichilo River.
See also
In Spanish: Río Arque para niños
