La hidrografía de Puerto Rico

Introduction to Hydrography in Puerto Rico

Overview of Hydrography

• Hydrography is defined as the branch of geography that studies the behavior of water in a region, including seas, rivers, streams, lagoons, swamps, and artificial lakes.

• Puerto Rico's geographical context includes the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, with additional bodies of water like Mona Channel and Vieques Passage.

Coastal Features

• The island features various bays and coves; a bay is described as a sea inlet surrounded by land except for an opening. Notable bays include San Juan Bay and Guánica Bay.

• Bioluminescent bays are highlighted for their unique microorganisms that produce light as a defense mechanism; Puerto Rico has three such bays: Mosquito Bay, Laguna Grande in Fajardo, and La Parguera in Lajas.

Rivers of Puerto Rico

Major Rivers

• Puerto Rico has approximately 1,700 rivers and streams originating mainly from its central mountain range.

• Key rivers include:

• Río de la Plata: third longest river originating from Sierra de Calle.

• Río Grande de Loíza: most voluminous river starting from San Lorenzo.

• Río Bayamón: flows from Sidra mountains to Sidra Reservoir.

Unique River Characteristics

• The Río Camuy is notable for flowing through caves for six miles; it was once ranked among the top three underground rivers globally but now ranks within the top twenty due to new discoveries.

Groundwater Resources

Aquifers

• Groundwater or aquifers consist of geological formations capable of storing water. They are essential for agricultural, industrial use, and human consumption.

River Discharge Points

• Western rivers flow into Mona Channel; significant ones include:

• Río Guanajibo: originates in Monte del Estado.

• Río Grande de Añasco: second largest basin by size.

Southern Rivers

Characteristics of Southern Rivers

• Southern rivers are generally shorter with lower flow rates due to proximity to the central mountain range which receives less precipitation. Examples include:

• Río de Agua: located in southern Cordillera Central.

• Río Yauco and Río Loco.

Eastern Rivers

Eastern River Dynamics

• Eastern rivers discharge into Vieques Passage; they tend to be shorter because mountainous areas approach closer to the coast. Notable examples include:

• Río Humacao: originates from Sierra de Luquillo.

• Río Blanco: starts at Ladera Azul in Naguabo.

Man-Made Reservoirs

Importance of Reservoir Creation

• Puerto Rico lacks natural lakes; reservoirs were created by humans for socio-economic purposes. Water is stored using dams for public supply and industrial needs. Key reservoirs include Carraízo and La Plata.

Coastal Lagoons

Types and Significance

• Coastal lagoons are associated with marine environments; they serve as refuges for many species and support recreational activities. Three types exist:

• Marine lagoons,

• Hypersaline lagoons,

• Brackish lagoons.