Paraná River

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The Paraná River (Portuguese: Rio Paraná [ˈʁi.u paɾaˈna] ; Spanish: Río Paraná [ˈri.o paɾaˈna] ; Guarani: Ysyry Parana) is a river in south-central South America, running through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina for some 4,880 kilometres (3,030 mi).[3] Among South American rivers, it is second in length only to the Amazon River. It merges with the Paraguay River and then farther downstream with the Uruguay River to form the Río de la Plata and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

Paraná River
Rio Paraná, Río Paraná
Paraná River seen from Zárate, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Map of the Paraná River Basin, showing the Paraná River in highlight
Native nameParana (Guarani)
Location
Countries
RegionSouth America
Physical characteristics
SourceParanaíba
 • locationRio Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
 • coordinates19°13′21″S 46°10′28″W / 19.22250°S 46.17444°W / -19.22250; -46.17444[1]
 • elevation1,148 m (3,766 ft)
2nd sourceRio Grande
 • locationBocaina de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
 • coordinates22°9′56″S 44°23′38″W / 22.16556°S 44.39389°W / -22.16556; -44.39389
Source confluenceParanaíba and Rio Grande
 • coordinates20°5′12″S 51°0′2″W / 20.08667°S 51.00056°W / -20.08667; -51.00056
MouthRio de la Plata
 • location
Atlantic Ocean, Argentina, Uruguay
 • coordinates
34°0′5″S 58°23′37″W / 34.00139°S 58.39361°W / -34.00139; -58.39361[2]
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length4,880 km (3,030 mi)[3]
Basin size2,582,672 km2 (997,175 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • locationParaná Delta
 • average(Period 1971–2010)19,706 m3/s (695,900 cu ft/s)[4]

(Period: 1971–2000)667 km3/a (21,100 m3/s)[5][6]

17,290 m3/s (611,000 cu ft/s)[3]
 • minimum2,450 m3/s (87,000 cu ft/s)
 • maximum65,000 m3/s (2,300,000 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
 • locationCorrientes
 • average(Period 1971–2010)18,979 m3/s (670,200 cu ft/s)[4]
Discharge 
 • locationItatí
 • average(Period 1971–2010)13,916 m3/s (491,400 cu ft/s)[4]
Discharge 
 • locationItaipú
 • average(Period 1971–2010)11,746 m3/s (414,800 cu ft/s)[4]
Discharge 
 • locationPorto Primavera
 • average(Period 1971–2010)7,938 m3/s (280,300 cu ft/s)[4]
Basin features
ProgressionRío de la PlataAtlantic Ocean
River systemRío de la Plata
Tributaries 
 • leftGualeguay, Iguaçu, Piquiri, Ivaí, Paranapanema, Tietê, Rio Grande
 • rightCarcarañá, Salado, Paraguay, Ivinhema, Pardo, Verde, Sucuriú, Paranaiba

The first European to go up the Paraná River was the Venetian explorer Sebastian Cabot, in 1526, while working for Spain.

A drought hit the river in 2021, causing a 77-year low.[7][8]

Etymology

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In eastern South America there is "an immense number of river names containing the element para- or parana-", from Guarani language words meaning "river" or "sea"; attempts to derive a more precise meaning for the name of this, the largest of them, e.g. "kin of the sea", have been discounted.[9]

Course

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The course is formed at the confluence of the Paranaiba and Rio Grande rivers in southern Brazil. From the confluence the river flows in a generally southwestern direction for about 619 km (385 mi) before encountering the city of Saltos del Guaira, Paraguay. This was once the location of the Guaíra Falls (Sete Quedas waterfalls, where the Paraná fell over a series of seven cascades. This natural feature was said to rival the world-famous Iguazu Falls to the south. The falls were flooded, however, by the construction of the Itaipu Dam, which began operating in 1984. For approximately the next 200 km (120 mi), the Paraná flows southward and forms a natural boundary between Paraguay and Brazil until the confluence with the Iguazu River. Further upstream from this confluence, however, the river is dammed by the Itaipu Dam, the third largest hydroelectric power plant in the world (following the Three Gorges Dam and the Baihetan Dam, both in the People's Republic of China), creating a massive, shallow reservoir behind it.

After merging with the Iguazu, the Paraná becomes the natural border between Paraguay and Argentina. Overlooking the Paraná River from Encarnación, Paraguay, across the river, is downtown Posadas, Argentina. The river continues its general southward course for about 468 km (291 mi) before making a gradual turn to the west for another 820 km (510 mi), and then encounters the Paraguay River, the largest tributary along the course of the river. Before this confluence, the river passes through a second major hydroelectric project, the Yacyretá Dam, a joint project between Paraguay and Argentina. The massive reservoir formed by the project has been the source of a number of problems for people living along the river, most notably the poorer merchants and residents in the low-lying areas of Encarnación, a major city on the southern border of Paraguay. River levels rose dramatically upon completion of the dam, flooding out large sections of the city's lower areas.

From the confluence with the Paraguay River, the Paraná again turns to the south for another approximately 820 km (510 mi) through Argentina, making a slow turn back to the east near the city of Rosario for the final stretch of less than 500 km (310 mi) before merging with the Uruguay River to form the Río de la Plata. This flows into the Atlantic Ocean. During the part of its course downstream from the city of Diamante, Entre Ríos, it splits into several arms and it forms the Paraná Delta.

Tributaries

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The main tributaries from the mouth:[6]

Left

tributary

Right

tributary

Length

(km)

Basin size

(km2)

Average discharge

(m3/s)*

Paraná Delta
Luján 100 5,065.6 60.5
Arroyo de La Cruz 1,057.2 12.9
Areco 124 4,149.8 51.6
Arrecifes 255 11,304.4 114.4
Gualeguay 375 22,716 237.9
Nogoyá 164 9,334.5 120
Arroyo

Tiestos Grandes

210 2,070.6 12.2
Arroyo Ramallo 1,175.2 10.6
Arroyo Yaquarón 1,825.5 15.8
Arroyo Pavón 90 2,611.7 21.2
Arroyo Saladillo 145 3,144 20.6
Carcaraña 240 48,746.5 81
Río Salado del Norte 2,355 225,844.4 170
Lower Paraná
Arroyo

de las Conchas

50 2,184 14.2
Arroyo Feliciano 198 8,341 76.9
Guayquiraró 158 9,701 90
Corriente (Aruhary) 500 26,872.9 336.2
San Javier 250 2,948.4 16.4
Arroyo El Rey 6,346.4 40
Río Los Amores (São Jerônimo) 177 17,440.7 69.7
Santa Lucia 190 6,963.4 85.6
Paraná MiníTapenaga 300 12,072.7 53.5
Tacuari 7,034.6 39.1
Arroyo San Lourenzo 1,411.4 12.4
Empedrado 2,002.2 18.3
Riachuelo 2,921.9 26.2
Negro (Chaco) 410 21,121.4 58.5
Guaycurú 446 21,656.6 33.9
Paraguay 2,695 1,137,190.9 5,070.2
Yabebyry 1,955 30.31
Arroyo Aguapey 60 1,809 35.06
Tacuary 1,010 20.54
Arroyo

Garupá

62 1,416 38.1
Arroyo Yabebiry 130.1 1,889.3 46.9
Capiibari 978 12.2
Pirapó 952 20.5
Arroyo Cuñapirú 67.6 525 11.3
Pirajui 97 1,221 26.6
Arroyo Garuhapé 527.9 11.7
Tembey 95 1,243 28.8
Arroyo Paranay

Guazú

114.2 1,319.5 30.7
Arroyo

Piray Guazú

69.5 2,141.5 63.9
Arroyo

Piray Mini

88.5 1,476.6 50.7
Yacuy Guazú 788 23.77
Arroyo Aguaray

Guazú

873 27.8
Ñacunday 150 2,541 82.74
Arroyo

Urugua-i

150.5 2,533.7 96.3
Monday 150 6,693 164.7
Iguaçu 1,320 67,537.3 1,836
Acaray 160 9,681 233.7
Limay 1,099.8 27.4
São

Francisco Falço Braço Sul

73 1,706.3 53.7
Itambey 115 1,805.3 39.5
São

Francisco Verdadeiro

152 2,210.2 64.2
Arroyo Pozuelo 572.2 15
Carapa 150 2,678 44
Arroyo

Guaçu

1,222.3 26.6
Piratiy 80 1,545.6 22.4
Upper Paraná
Piquiri 665 24,156 606.5
Iguatemi 300 8,409.3 99.2
Maracaí 1,831.2 18.3
Amambaí 340 10,094.6 101.6
Ivaí 798 36,587 733.4
Laranjal 1,782 14.9
Ivinheima 595 38,200 544.5
Bahia 1,344 10.2
Paranapanema 929 101,738.7 1,198.4
Samambaia 1,379.7 12.3
Santo Anastácio 102 2,132.4 15
Pardo 600 39,419.4 529
Taquaruçu 2,615.3 17.9
Rio do Peixe 380 10,195.4 84
Verde 500 22,470.7 185
Aguapeí 420 12,026.4 85.3
Sucuriú 450 25,220 353.7
Tietê 1,150 72,168 937.2
São José das Dourados 334.5 6,783 52.3
Quiteria 2,384.9 29.2
Rio Grande 1,455 143,484 2,279
Paranaíba
Aporé 200 6,965.3 109
Corrente 7,323.5 119
São Domingos

(Arantes)

3,589.7 39.2
Verde 11,768.2 192.1
Claro 495.2 13,684.2 205.4
Ribeiro dos Patos 1,073.1 10.8
Alegre 1,406.1 17.3
Preto 127.3 2,302.6 29.9
São Francisco 1,337.9 15.7
Tijuco 355 14,284 170.2
Dos Bois 528 34,759 334
Meia Ponte 471.6 12,370.5 154.8
Piedade 1,777.3 19.6
Ribeiro Santa Maria 1,287.4 13.4
Corumbá 567.5 34,071.4 417
Araguari 475 22,091 284
Veríssimo 200 4,533.7 48.8
Jordão 921.8 10.6
Bagagem 1,375.4 15.9
Perdizes 1,265.4 14.7
Dourados 2,451.6 30.3
São Marcos 466.7 12,049.7 141.4
Verde 1,337.1 15.8
Ribeiro das Minas Vermelhas 889.1 12.1
Espirito Santo 1,035.1 13.7

*Period: 1971–2000

Uses

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Together with its tributaries, the Rio Paraná forms a massive drainage basin that encompasses much of the southcentral part of South America, essentially including all of Paraguay, much of southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and the southeastern part of Bolivia. If the Uruguay River is counted as a tributary to the Paraná, this watershed extends to cover most of Uruguay as well. The volume of water flowing into the Atlantic Ocean through the Río de la Plata roughly equals the volume at the Mississippi River delta. This watershed contains a number of large cities, including São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Rosario, Asunción, Brasília, and La Plata.

The Paraná and its tributaries provide a source of income and of daily sustenance for fishermen who live along its banks. Some of the species of fish (such as the surubí and the sábalo) are commercially important, and they are exploited for heavy internal consumption or for export. The Parana River delta ranks as one of the world's greatest bird-watching destinations.[10]

Much of the length of the Paraná is navigable, and the river serves as an important waterway linking inland cities in Argentina and Paraguay with the ocean, providing deepwater ports in some of these cities. The construction of enormous hydroelectric dams along the river's length has blocked its use as a shipping corridor to cities further upstream, but the economic impact of those dams offsets this. The Yacyretá Dam and the Itaipu Dam on the Paraguay border have made the small, largely undeveloped nation of Paraguay the world's largest exporter of hydroelectric power.

Due to its use for oceangoing ships, measurements of the water tables extend back to 1904. The data correlates with the Sun's solar cycle.[11][12]

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The course of the Paraná is crossed by the following bridges, beginning upstream:

Crossing Location Built Carries Coordinates
Brazil
Rollemberg–Vuolo Road–Railway Bridge Aparecida do Taboado-Rubineia 1998 20°06′17.9″S 51°00′32.4″W / 20.104972°S 51.009000°W / -20.104972; -51.009000
Ilha Solteira Dam Selvíria-Ilha Solteira 1973 20°22′54.2″S 51°21′59.7″W / 20.381722°S 51.366583°W / -20.381722; -51.366583
Engineer Souza Dias Dam Três Lagoas-Castilho 1968 BR-262 20°46′44.7″S 51°37′49.3″W / 20.779083°S 51.630361°W / -20.779083; -51.630361
Paulicéia-Brasilândia Bridge Brasilândia-Pauliceia 2009 BR-158 21°16′08.4″S 51°51′18.8″W / 21.269000°S 51.855222°W / -21.269000; -51.855222
Hélio Serejo (Maurício Joppert) Bridge Bataguassu-Presidente Epitácio 1964 BR-267 21°45′12.1″S 52°11′05.6″W / 21.753361°S 52.184889°W / -21.753361; -52.184889
Sérgio Motta (Porto Primavera) Dam Rosana 1999 22°28′30.5″S 52°57′29.6″W / 22.475139°S 52.958222°W / -22.475139; -52.958222
Porto Camargo Bridge Alto Paraíso BR-487 23°22′24.5″S 53°46′08.3″W / 23.373472°S 53.768972°W / -23.373472; -53.768972
Ayrton Senna Bridge Mundo Novo-Guaíra 1998 BR-163 24°03′31″S 54°15′28.6″W / 24.05861°S 54.257944°W / -24.05861; -54.257944
Brazil-Paraguay
Friendship Bridge Ciudad del Este-Foz do Iguaçu 1965 PY02-BR-277 25°30′33.5″S 54°36′03.3″W / 25.509306°S 54.600917°W / -25.509306; -54.600917
Integration Bridge Presidente Franco-Foz do Iguaçu Under construction 25°35′19″S 54°35′37″W / 25.58861°S 54.59361°W / -25.58861; -54.59361
Paraguay-Argentina
San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge Encarnación-Posadas 1990 27°22′09.3″S 55°51′43.3″W / 27.369250°S 55.862028°W / -27.369250; -55.862028
Yacyretá Dam Ayolas-Ituzaingó 1994 27°28′58.5″S 56°44′19.5″W / 27.482917°S 56.738750°W / -27.482917; -56.738750
Argentina
General Manuel Belgrano Bridge Resistencia-Corrientes 1973 National Route 16 27°28′12.3″S 58°51′35.1″W / 27.470083°S 58.859750°W / -27.470083; -58.859750
Second Resistencia-Corrientes Bridge Resistencia-Corrientes Planned
Reconquista-Goya Bridge Reconquista-Goya Planned
Raúl Uranga - Carlos Sylvestre Begnis Subfluvial Tunnel Santa Fe-Paraná 1969 National Route 168 31°42′08.7″S 60°30′12.6″W / 31.702417°S 60.503500°W / -31.702417; -60.503500
Second Santa Fe-Paraná Bridge Santa Fe-Paraná Planned
Rosario-Victoria Bridge Rosario-Victoria 2003 National Route 174 32°52′11.4″S 60°41′07.9″W / 32.869833°S 60.685528°W / -32.869833; -60.685528
Bartolomé Mitre Bridge Zárate-Ceibas 1977 National Route 12 34°06′10.9″S 59°00′10″W / 34.103028°S 59.00278°W / -34.103028; -59.00278
Justo José de Urquiza Bridge Zárate-Ceibas 1977 National Route 12 33°54′37.1″S 58°53′06.9″W / 33.910306°S 58.885250°W / -33.910306; -58.885250

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Monitoramento da Qualidade das Águas Superficiais da Bacia do Río Paranaíba: Relatório Annual 2007". Governo do Estado de Minas Gerais, Instituto Mineiro de Gestão das Águas. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF in ZIP) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  2. ^ Río Paraná Guazú at GEOnet Names Server (main distributary)
  3. ^ a b c "Parana River". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 26 May. 2012 https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/443063/Parana-River Archived 2012-04-28 at the Wayback Machine. "Rio de la Plata". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 26 May. 2012 https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/463804/Rio-de-la-Plata Archived 2015-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b c d e "Balance hídrico en la Cuenca del Plata". 29 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Transboundary River Basin Overview – La Plata" (PDF).
  6. ^ a b "Parana (La Plata)".
  7. ^ "South America's drought-hit Paraná river at 77-year low". BBC News. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  8. ^ "Down river". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  9. ^ Holmer, Nils m. (1960). "Indian Place Names in South America and the Antilles. I." Names: A Journal of Onomastics. 8 (3): 133–148. doi:10.1179/nam.1960.8.3.133. Retrieved 20 September 2021., pp=139-141.
  10. ^ Iriondo, Martín H., Juan César Paggi, and María Julieta Parma, eds. The Middle Paraná River: Limnology of a subtropical wetland. Chapter "Birds." Springer Science & Business Media, 2007.
  11. ^ Pablo J.D. Mauas & Andrea P. Buccino. "Long-term solar activity influences on South American rivers" page 5. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics on Space Climate, March 2010. Accessed: 20 September 2014.
  12. ^ Antico, A.; Kröhling, D. M. (October 2011). "Solar motion and discharge of Paraná River, South America: Evidence for a link". Geophysical Research Letters. 38 (19): n/a. Bibcode:2011GeoRL..3819401A. doi:10.1029/2011GL048851. hdl:11336/72975. S2CID 130181708.
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