Salado River (Antofagasta, Chile)

Salado River

Loa and its afluents San Pedro, Silala and Salado Rivers
Basin
Main source Thermal springs
Source elevation 4,200
River mouth Loa River
Size 2,210 km² [1]
Countries Chile
Physiognomy
Length 80 km [1]
Avg. discharge 0.5 m³/s

Salado River is a river of Chile located in El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region which is in the northern part of the country. It is formed at the confluence of over 30 spring branches emerging from El Tatio area. Flowing briefly south, it turns west and passes through a canyon carved in volcanic rocks.

In its middle course, the river receives the Toconce River (originated at the foot of Linzor volcano) from the north and the Caspana River from the south. In this area, a part of the flow of its affluents is diverted for providing water for domestic consumption in Antofagasta and Tocopilla, among other localities.

After being joined by the two streams before mentioned, the Salado River enters in a floodplain area, which is used for pasturage by the inhabitants of the nearby localities, including Toconce, Caspana and Aiquina. Then, the Salado again flows through a narrow canyon, where is found the so-called Devil's Bridge, a cut through rhyolite terrain of 5 m wide.

Finally, the Salado empties into the Loa River, the main watercourse of the Chilean Norte Grande, about 3 km south of Chiuchiu.

References

Coordinates: 22°22′19″S 68°39′22″W / 22.37194°S 68.65611°W / -22.37194; -68.65611


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