description Lagoa dos Patos Overview
Lagoa dos Patos is a coastal lagoon in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, covering approximately 10,000 square kilometers and extending roughly 240 kilometers north to south. It is the largest lagoon in South America and one of the largest in the world. The lagoon connects to the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Rio Grande and to Lagoa Mirim via the São Gonçalo Channel. It supports important regional fisheries and serves as a navigational route to the ports of Rio Grande and Pelotas.
help Lagoa dos Patos FAQ
Is Lagoa dos Patos actually a lake or a lagoon?
It is a vast coastal lagoon separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a long sandy barrier. Its water ranges from fresh to brackish, with marine influence strongest near the outlet at Rio Grande.
How large is Lagoa dos Patos?
The lagoon covers roughly 10,000 square kilometres in Rio Grande do Sul, making it the largest lagoon in South America. It stretches for hundreds of kilometres along Brazil's southern coastal plain.
Where does Lagoa dos Patos connect to the Atlantic?
Its main ocean connection is the channel at Rio Grande, beside the city and port of the same name. This outlet supports shipping between the lagoon's inland ports and the Atlantic.
What rivers feed Lagoa dos Patos?
Water reaches the lagoon through systems that include the Guaíba and the Camaquã River. Lagoa Mirim also drains toward it through the São Gonçalo Channel.
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