Hidrología

Belize’s surface water is provided by 29 identifiable watersheds of which 18 are considered major watersheds (Williams, 2020). These watersheds transport runoff via the slopes of the Maya Mountains eastwards to the Caribbean Sea. Recharge for these rivers is mainly from rainfall and surface runoff during the rainy season and from groundwater and the lagoon systems during the dry season. 

Williams (2020) further states that the majority of the rivers originate on the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. A notable exception is the Belize River, the country’s largest watershed and longest river, whose headwaters originate on the western side of the Maya Mountains main divide and descends the slopes of the Maya Mountains skirting the northern lowlands before emptying into the Caribbean Sea. Other exceptions include the Rio Hondo and the New River that meander sluggishly across the northern plains before emptying into the Bay of Chetumal. 

The major rivers in Belize are grouped by regions and include the following:

Region 7- Northern Belize:

Rio Hondo and the New River

Region 9- Western and Central Belize:

Mopan River, Macal River and the Belize River

Region 11- Central, Eastern Slopes of the Maya Mountains and Southern Belize:

Sibun River, Sittee River, Monkey River, Deep River, Rio Grande, Moho River and Temash River

Region 13-Southern Belize:

Sarstoon River

Williams, R. (2020). Belize Hydrology Assessment. RW Water Solutions. Belize.