Davao River

Summary

The Davao River is the third largest river by drainage basin on the southern Philippines in the island of Mindanao. It drains an area of over 1,700 square kilometres (660 sq mi) with a total length of 170 kilometres (110 mi). Most of the area is uplands. Average flows within the river near to the mouth are estimated at 70 to 80 cubic metres per second (2,500 to 2,800 cu ft/s). The climate type is relatively uniform throughout the year with evenly distributed rainfall and temperatures and humidity (rainfall = 2600mm, Actual Evap 1028mm). The area rarely experiences typhoons.

Davao River
  • Bankerohan River
  • Salug River
Mouth of the Davao River
Davao River is located in Mindanao
Davao River
Davao River is located in Philippines
Davao River
Native nameDavohoho/Davohaha/Duhwow (Manobo languages)
Location
CountryPhilippines Philippines
Region
ProvinceBukidnon
Physical characteristics
Source
 • locationSan Fernando, Bukidnon
MouthDavao Gulf
 • location
Davao City
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length170 km (110 mi)
Basin size1,623 km2 (627 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • locationDavao Gulf
 • average80 m3/s (2,800 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • left
  • Panigan River
  • Tamugan River
 • rightSalug River

Stats edit

  • River Length: 150 kilometres (93 mi)[1]
  • Maximum Elevation: 1,875 metres (6,152 ft)
  • Rainfall Average: Mean annual rainfall is 1800mm. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.

Topography/Soil Type edit

Plains and Valley: Parent Material:

Intermediate Upland:

Hills and Mountains:

  • Camansa sandy clay loam: Shale and sandstone with weathered gravel and sand
  • Mountain Soils: undifferentiated : Various igneous and metamorphic rock

Demographic properties edit

  • DRW Population: ~ 800,000
  • Average per capita income: 144,039 per family per annum (2000 national average)
  • Industrial and agricultural gross domestic product: 64.1 billion pesos for Region XI
  • Population below poverty line: 45% in rural areas; 27% in urban areas (for southern Mindanao)
  • Water poverty index parameters: Medium (WPI 56-61.9).

Land uses edit

The landform and landcover within the basin is highly diverse. Ranging from lowland urban, agricultural, wetland and mangrove to natural riparian, plantations, upland agriculture and mountainous forest including primary forest. The area is classified by DENR as 77.5% forestlands and 22.5% alienable and disposable land. This is not a true land uses (or land cover) classification. Detailed land use is not available. Information is available from several sources including the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the City, however this data is as yet theoretical and does not represent the realities or suitability of land at the barangay (lowest tier of local government) level. However the City Planning Office is collecting and digitizing data for land use maps.

Water resources and uses in the basin edit

 
Fishing boats on the Davao River

River discharge measurements taken from 1984 to 1990 indicated an average river flow of approximately 78 cubic meters per second for the period.

The main drinking water sources for Davao City are in the neighboring Talomo watershed. These sources are under pressure and the Davao River Basin is likely to be required for water abstraction in the near future.

The Environmental Management Bureau samples 8 sites from the confluence of the Tamugan river downstream to the mouth of the river. From the Tamugan River confluence with the Davao River down stream to DDF Subdivision, Mandug the water is classified as Class A – Public Water Supply Class II. Downstream of this point to the sea is classified as Class B or recreational water class I. Analyses for dissolved oxygen over the past 4 years has indicated no significant change in quality. The current monitoring of water quality is insufficient to monitor and evaluate pollution levels and trends in the river.

References edit

  1. ^ "Principal River Basins of the Philippines", Published by the National Water Resources Board, October 1976 (p. 12)
  • D Hearne, crs, proposal to HELP UNESCO, 2004

External links edit

  • Basin Properties[permanent dead link]
  • " Pictures

7°04′N 125°37′E / 7.067°N 125.617°E / 7.067; 125.617