A Water Resources Management Information System

The Lerma-Chapala case study application

The Lerma-Chapala catchment is situated in central Mexico. It covers a total area of more than 54,000 km2, with a difference in altitude of 1100 m. The main branch of the Lerma rivers has a total length of more than 700 km. Five states have a share in the catchment, which includes 40 major subcatchments and tributaries.

With the by far dominant water use with above 70% in agriculture, extreme low flow events during the dry season together with insufficient waste water treatment lead to severe water quality problems. The steadily growing water demand in the basin has led to a continuing drop in the level of Lake Chapala.

This, together with the water quality problems of the lake is a major concern.

Select the icons below for views of the Lerma-Chapala basin: