Argentino Lake

Water type: Natural lake
Continent: South America
Climates: Arid (desert), Subpolar
Country: Argentina

Lago Argentino is a lake in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, at 50°2′S 72°4′W. It is the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina, with a surface area of 1,415 km2 (546 sq mi) (maximum width: 20 mi (32 km)). It has an average depth of 150 m (492 ft), and a maximum depth of 500 m (1,640 ft).

The lake lies within the Los Glaciares National Park in a landscape with numerous glaciers and is fed by the glacial meltwater of several rivers, the water from Lake Viedma brought by the La Leona River, and many mountain streams. Its drainage basin amounts to more than 17,000 km2 (6,564 sq mi). Waters from Lake Argentino flow into the Atlantic Ocean through the Santa Cruz River.

The glaciers, the nearby town of El Calafate and the lake itself are important tourist destinations. The lake in particular is appreciated for fishing. Perch, common galaxias (puyen grande), lake trout and rainbow trout — in both anadromous and Potamodromous forms — are all found.

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