Argentino Lake

Lago Argentino is a lake in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. It is the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, with a surface area of 1,415 km (546 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 719 m (2,359 ft). The deepest point of the lake is situated in the end of its narrow north-northwestern arm, in front of the retreating Upsala Glacier. This depth was discovered during a survey in 2001. The south-southwestern arm ends in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier. The glaciers debouch into the lake at these sites, making "trenches" in the bedrock. The lake reaches 541 m (1,775 ft) below mean sea level.

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 km (6,564 mi). Water from Lake Argentino flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the Santa Cruz River.