The San Carlos Watershed

The San Carlos watershed forms the heart of the north-central Costa Rica. Covering 3.122 km2 and draining finally into the Rio San Juan on the Nicaraguan border, it is home to a rich diversity of biophysical phenomena and human activity. Within its boundaries are the majestic tourist destination Volcan Arenal, the urban center San Carlos (Ciudad Quesada), and the nationally-important agricultural plantations on the plains of the lower watershed.

Approximately 57,487 hectares, or 18.4% of the total area of the watershed is currently protected. This includes two national parks, Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve, and the private reserves Monteverde, the Children's Eternal Rainforest, and the Nectandra Cloud Forest Garden.

Elevation in the San Carlos watershed ranges between 20 and 2,320m with an average of 367m. Annual precipitation averages 3619.2mm. There are 24 hydroelectric plants, with a capacity of nearly 16,000 Kw, fed by over 140km of rivers within these borders.

The San Carlos watershed is comprised of 30 districts within 4 principal cantones: San Carlos, San Ramon, Alfaro Ruiz, and Tilaran. The population of the watershed was 178,000 in the year 2000, an increase of 63% since 1984. The majority of the population is concentrated around Quesada and on the plains of the lower watershed.