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Map of Mexico, showing the location of the
Rio Laja Watershed |
The headwaters of the Rio Laja in the Santa Rosa Mountains, an oak forest full of wildlife and and abundance of plant species |
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The Rio Laja WatershedThe Laja River, located in the state of Guanajuato in arid central Mexico, is a vital corridor of green essential for migratory and local wildlife and essential for the survival of local communities. It is a tributary of the Rio Lerma, one of Mexico's largest rivers and a major industrial corridor which flows west to Lake Chapala. The Lerma ecoregion is considered globally outstanding by the World Wildlife Fund for its fish populations which are "virtually unsurpassed in North America and rare worldwide. The Laja rises in the mountains in the north and west of the State of Guanajuato. The main branch of the Laja is 200 miles long, with numerous tributaries along its upper reaches. It fills a manmade lake near San Miguel before flowing south through one of Mexico's largest bread baskets where fruits and vegetables are grown for export to the United States and Canada. Compared to other rivers in the area, it is relatively unpolluted as there are no major industries above San Miguel. Today the Rio Laja watershed is severely damaged. In this arid region the few trees are usually found growing along riverbanks. But population has grown rapidly and too many people have been cutting trees for firewood and too many goats and other animals have been uprooting plants. Severe erosion has resulted and the bald hillsides cannot retain rainfall or add to our underground water table. The streams and rivers are dry most of the year, and the rainy season itself is dangerous. Raging floods sweep away precious topsoil from farms and destroy property. The lost sediment is then dragged into our reservoir, the Presa Allende, which is rapidly silting up. The Rio Laja Watershed is being restored by the non-profit conservation group Salvemos el Rio Laja, A.C. (Save the Laja). Statistics & RatingsLocation: Central Mexico, State of Guanajuato, Latitude 21, Longitude 101 Size: 1,250,000 acres Type: Endorheic (i.e. an interior drainage basin) Altitude: High valley (2,000 meter/6,000 feet) Rainy Season: June through September Conservation Status: Wetlands rated priority area by North American Conservation Council and USDA Forest Service for their importance to migratory birds. Watershed forest: Santa Rosa, rated as a priority area for conservation by the Mexican government and the USDA Forest Service. It has recently been named an Important Bird Area. Rivers: Biological Distinctiveness rated Globally Outstanding by the World WIldlife Fund.
Salvemos al Río Laja A.C. |
