The main rivers of Bogotá are Tunjuelo, Salitre and Fucha. These bodies of water flow into the Bogotá River. Its tributaries add 198 bodies of water between streams, wetlands, rivers and canals.
All these cross the Colombian capital and drain rainwater from more than 90% of the urbanized area.
Bogotá is the capital of the Republic of Colombia and the department of Cundinamarca. Its official name is Bogotá, Distrito Capital. It is abbreviated Bogotá, D.C.
Main characteristics of the rivers of Bogotá
In Bogotá the relief is of low slopes, which means a low speed in the water of the rivers.
These water sources are polluted and run through the streets of the neighborhoods of the city. They are mostly encapsulated in pipes that sometimes give off a bad smell.
As main causes of pollution, it has been established that the determining factors are the disposal of wastewater and the load of biological and industrial waste, in addition to the low speed of water bodies.
Around eight million people live between the city and nearby municipalities. Over the last few years, sanitation plans have been drawn up that seek the recovery of public space in the center of Bogotá.
Some communities have also established assemblies around the rivers. In these activities of a pedagogical nature are carried out.
The intention is to inform people about the current and real situation of the rivers, and the consequences that this situation entails. It even explains how they can help improve the environmental conditions of the city.
The 4 main rivers of Bogotá
The largest basin is Tunjuelo with 80 tributaries. It follows the Salitre basin with 48, the Fucha with 31 and the Torca with 19. Other sub-basins add 20 more bodies of water.
1- Tunjuelo River
It is the longest river and whose extensive watershed runs through Bogotá. It is used for the water supply through the dams of La Regadera and Chisacá.
It is born in the páramo of Sumapez and it is crossed with the gulch of Fucha, Santa Librada, Yomasa, the Pot of the Bouquet, Chiguaza, Yerbabuena, the Chuscal, Trumpets, of Limas and Terreros.
2- Salitre River
It is born in the eastern hills. It crosses with the gorges of the Delights, the Mills and the Chicó, among others.
3- Fucha River
It is also born in the Eastern hills and empties into the Bogotá River. It is channeled in part of its route.
This river drains the entire sector of downtown Bogotá, part of the southeast and the industrial zone to the west.
When draining the oldest sector of the city, the river is mixed with rainwater and sewage. Due to this the Fucha river is very polluted.
4- Bogotá River
This river runs from north to south in the west sector of Bogotá. It drains the waters of several tributaries, among them the Tunjuelo, Salitre and Fucha rivers. Then it finally flows into the Magdalena River.
It is the most polluted river in Bogotá and the one that has had the most sanitation plans.
References
- Brand, P. C., & Prada Ríos, J. F. (2003). The invention of urban futures: strategies of economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability in the four main cities of Colombia. National university of Colombia. Headquarters Medellín.
- The urban rivers of Bogota. (s.f.) Retrieved from Aló: alo.co
- Rola, S. D. (December 01, 2015). Between rivers and streams, Bogotá has 198 bodies of water. Do you know them? Obtained from Civic: civico.com
- Bogotá (s.f.) Retrieved from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org
- Geography of Bogotá. (s.f.) Retrieved from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org