Argentino Lake

Argentino Lake
Lago Argentino
Northern arm of the lake
Argentino Lake
Location	Lago Argentino Department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Coordinates	50°13′S 72°25′W / 50.217°S 72.417°W / -50.217; -72.417
Primary outflows	Santa Cruz River
Catchment area	17,000 km2 (6,600 sq mi)
Basin countries	Argentina
Max. length	120 km (75 mi)
Max. width	32 km (20 mi)
Surface area	1,415 km2 (546 sq mi)[1]
Average depth	155.4 m (510 ft)
Max. depth	500 m (1,600 ft)
Water volume	219.9 km3 (52.8 cu mi)
Shore length1	687 km (427 mi)
Surface elevation	187 m (614 ft)
Settlements	El Calafate
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lago Argentino is a lake in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, at 50°2′S 72°4′W / 50.033°S 72.067°W / -50.033; -72.067. It is the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, with a surface area of 1,415 km² (546 sq mi) and a maximum width of 20 mi (32 km). The lake's waters have an average depth of 155 m (509 ft), with a maximum depth of 500 m (1,640 ft).

Lago Argentino lies within Los Glaciares National Park, in a landscape accented by numerous glaciers, and the lakes of the area are fed by the glacial meltwater of several rivers. For example, the waters of Lake Viedma are fed by the La Leona River, and many other, smaller mountain streams. Lago Argentino's drainage basin amounts to more than 17,000 km² (6,564 sq mi). Water from Lake Argentino flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the Santa Cruz River.

The glaciers, the nearby town of El Calafate, and the lake itself are all important tourist destinations, with many unique hostels, hotels and other amenities catering to the outdoors located in the region. 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.

Lago Argentino was also the name of the airport that served the area until 2000. This airport is currently closed, and its runway was incorporated into the city's road system. It has since been replaced by Comandante Armando Tola International Airport, which serves the town of El Calafate and Lago Argentino with many national and international flights each day.