List of rivers of Ecuador facts for kids

The rivers of Ecuador are a really important part of the country's land and how people live. Most of Ecuador's more than 2,000 rivers and streams start high up in the Andes mountains. From there, they flow either west towards the Pacific Ocean or east towards the mighty Amazon River. In the mountains, these rivers are narrow. But as they reach lower areas like the Coast and Oriente regions, they become much wider. During the rainy season, which usually lasts from January to April, the rivers flowing to the Pacific can flood and sometimes cause damage.

Geography of Ecuador's Rivers

Ecuador has two main river systems: the Esmeraldas River in the North and the Guayas in the South.

The Esmeraldas River starts as the Guayllabamba River in the Sierra (highlands). It flows west and eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean near the city of Esmeraldas.

The Guayas River forms just north of Guayaquil. This is where two other rivers, the Daule and the Babahoyo River, join together. The Babahoyo River gets its water from smaller rivers in the Andes. The area drained by the Guayas River is very large, covering about 40,000 square kilometers.

In the eastern part of Ecuador, called the Oriente, some of the most important rivers are the Pastaza, Napo, and Putumayo. The Pastaza River is home to the Agoyan Waterfall, which is the highest waterfall in Ecuador.

Rivers and the Economy

Long ago, before Europeans arrived, the indigenous people of Ecuador used the rivers for fishing and for traveling. Even though many waterfalls in the Andes made canoe travel difficult, rivers were a key way to get around. They remained important for transportation for a long time, especially because building roads and railroads in the mountains was very hard.

Since the 1900s, rivers have become a major source of electric power in Ecuador. This is done using hydroelectric dams, which use the force of flowing water to create electricity. By 2006, these dams could produce 1,750 megawatts of power. In 2008, then-President Rafael Correa announced plans to build eleven more hydroelectric power plants. However, many local communities have concerns about these dam projects. They worry about how the dams might affect the environment and how decisions are made about them.

Another important use for Ecuador's rivers is for fun! Recreational rafting has become a popular activity. It helps bring tourists to Ecuador, which is good for the country's economy.

Main River Systems

This section lists some of the major rivers in Ecuador, grouped by where their water eventually flows. Smaller rivers that flow into them are listed underneath.

Rivers Flowing to the Atlantic Ocean (via the Amazon River)

• Putumayo River
  • San Miguel River
• Napo River
  • Curaray River
  • Aguarico River
  • Coca River
• Marañón River (This river is mainly in Peru, but some Ecuadorian rivers flow into it)
  • Tigre River
  • Pastaza River
    • Bobonaza River
    • Chambo River
      • Ambato River

* Cutuchi River

• • Morona River
  • Santiago River
    • Upano River
      • Paute River

* Matadero River or Cuenca ** Machángara River ** Tomebamba River ** Tarqui River ** Yanuncay River

• • • Zamora River

Rivers Flowing to the Pacific Ocean

• Mira River
  • Chota River
• Esmeraldas River
  • Guayllabamba River
  • Blanco River
    • Toachi River
• Guayas River
  • Daule River
  • Babahoyo River
    • Yaguachi River
      • Chimbo River
    • Vinces River
    • Catarama River
• Jubones River
• Tumbes River
  • Puyango River
• Chira River
  • Catamayo River

See also

• List of rivers of the Americas by coastline