Diamante River facts for kids
The Diamante River is an important river in the Mendoza province of Argentina. It starts high up in the Andes mountains. The river is fed by melting ice from glaciers on the Maipo volcano, which is on the border between Argentina and Chile. From there, it flows east across Mendoza. Eventually, it joins the Desaguadero River. The area that collects water for the Diamante River is about 2,750 square kilometers (1,060 square miles). This area is in the middle part of Mendoza.
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Where Does the Diamante River Flow?
The Diamante River gets its water from streams fed by melting ice. These streams flow into its starting point, which is called Diamante Lake. On average, the river carries about 33 cubic meters (1,165 cubic feet) of water every second. The most water flows during spring and summer. About 70 percent of the river's yearly water volume flows between October and March.
The River's Journey Through Canyons
At first, the river flows south, then turns back north. It then enters a deep, narrow place called the Agua del Toro Canyon. Here, the river is stopped by a large wall called a dam. This dam is known as the Agua del Toro Dam. It helps to create hydroelectricity, which is power made from moving water.
Just a few kilometers later, the river meets another dam, the Los Reyunos Dam. Both the Agua del Toro and Los Reyunos dams work together. They produce a lot of electricity, about 500 megawatts (MW). This is enough power for many homes and businesses.
Reaching the Plains and Irrigation
After leaving the mountains, the Diamante River reaches a flatter area. Here, some of its water soaks into the ground or evaporates into the air. The river then makes a gentle curve. It flows south of the city of San Rafael. San Rafael is in the middle of Mendoza province.
In this area, the river's water is very important for irrigation. This means the water is used to help grow crops on farms. The Diamante River, along with the Atuel River, helps to water many fields in the region.
Where the River Ends
Before it reaches the Desaguadero River, the Diamante River splits into many smaller streams. The Desaguadero River is sometimes called the Salado River in this area. The place where the Diamante River joins the Desaguadero is on the border with the San Luis province.
