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Hydrology
Rio Terraba
& Rio Sierpe
The
Rio Grande de Terraba, which runs through our site, is the largest
river in Costa Rica. The Terraba River Basin drains 4,767 square
kilometers in southern Costa Rica. It is bounded by the mountains
of Cordillera de la Talamanca to the north and Fila Costena to
the south. Water from these mountains drains to the Pacific Ocean
via the Rio General, which carries water from the western portion,
and the Rio Coto Brus, which carries water from the eastern portion.
These two rivers combine to form the Rio Terraba.
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Rainfall
Annual rainfall ranges from 1500 mm to 7000 mm (59"-275.5")
or more. There are two types of rain. The first is a torrential
downpour, or aguacero, which has intense rain, thunder and lightning,
but only over a few kilometers of land. This rain has great erosive
force. The second type of rain is lighter but continuous, called
temporales. This rain often covers a larger area and often floods
low areas. In general, the effects of rain have been exacerbated
by changes in land use. Deforestation and expansion of pastures
and agriculture have increased erosion, sedimentation, and potential
for flooding. Hurricanes are another disturbance that usually
bring heavy rain and flooding.
Details
of our site
On and around our site, water creates intricate patterns. The
Rio Grande de Terraba grows as many tributaries flow into it.
Water from the Rio Terraba and the serpent-shaped Rio Sierpe to
the south is used in a canal system built by the banana plantation
owners. Large portions of the coast are wetlands, including estuaries,
swamps, and mangrove wetlands.
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