Guzmán Basin facts for kids
The Guzmán Basin is a unique land area in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It's an endorheic basin, which means its rivers and streams don't flow out to the ocean. Instead, the water collects in lakes or dries up. This basin covers the northwestern part of Chihuahua in Mexico. It also reaches into southwestern New Mexico in the United States.
What is the Guzmán Basin?
The Guzmán Basin is like a giant bowl in the landscape. All the rain and river water that falls inside this bowl stays there. It doesn't flow out to a larger ocean or sea. This creates a special environment for plants and animals.
Rivers of the Basin
Several important rivers flow through the Guzmán Basin. These rivers are vital for the local environment and the creatures that live there.
- The Casas Grandes River is one of these rivers. It flows into a lake called Lake Guzmán.
- The Santa Maria River is another key river. It ends in Lake Santa Maria.
- Other rivers in the basin include the Carmen River.
- The Mimbres River is found in the New Mexico part of the basin.
Amazing Fish of the Guzmán Basin
The Guzmán Basin is a special place for fish. It's home to several fish species that are found nowhere else in the world. These are called endemic species. This means they are unique to this basin.
- The Chihuahua Chub (Gila nigrescens) is one of these special fish.
- The Palomas Pupfish (Cyprinodon pisteri) is another unique resident.
- You can also find the Whitefin Pupfish (C. albivelis) here.
- The Perrito de carbonera (C. fontinalis) also calls this basin home.
- The Guzmán trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is another rare fish found in these waters.
These fish have adapted to the unique conditions of the basin. Protecting their homes is important to make sure they continue to thrive.
