Dry Lakes | Lagos secos

ANF:

Laguna Cáceres aggravates the situation of dry lakes in the country

In addition to the Cáceres lagoon, Lake Titicaca and Achocalla lagoon, Lake Poopó and Uru Uru, Alalay lagoon, Concepción lagoon, Encanto, Aguas Claras and Claracuta are also in a critical situation.

Una imagen comparativa del nivel del agua de la laguna. Composición: ANF.

A comparative image of the water level of the lagoon. Composition: ANF.

Puerto Suarez, December 6, 2023 (ANF).- The splendor of the Cáceres lagoon or bay, in Santa Cruz, has remained a nostalgic memory of what was a magnificent expression of the Bolivian Pantanal. Full of water and strategic in the country’s economy, now it looks dull, dry. Along with it, at least eight other bodies of water in the country are going in the same direction of extinction.  

This bay is part of the Otuquis Integrated Management Natural Area, it is located on the shores of the cities of Puerto Suárez and Puerto Quijarro in the department of Santa Cruz and connects with the Paraguay River through the Tamengo channel.

Satellite map of the previous and current situation of Laguna Cáceres, in Santa Cruz.

A strategic location that allowed connection with the Atlantic Ocean because its current extends to the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway. The lagoon is eight kilometers long, six kilometers wide and has an area of 26.5 square kilometers; its depth reaches about five meters.

In addition to the reduction in water, the lagoon is invaded by aquatic plants (photo left 2023). Composition: ANF

We want to try to understand the causes of the lagoon drying up. It is not just a local problem, it has to do with the country’s heritage. For this reason, it is very important that the entire Bolivian society, knowing its heritage, values and defends it, not only the local population, but all of Bolivia,” Miguel Miranda, CEDIB researcher, told ANF.

/MVL/NVG/

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