Tercero River

{{short description|River in Argentina}} {{Infobox river | name = Tercero River | native_name =  | name_other = | name_etymology = | nickname =  | image = Puente Embalse Río Tercero.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The Provincial Route 5 bridge over the Tercero River | image_alt =  | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | map_alt = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= | pushpin_map_alt =  | subdivision_type1 = Argentina | subdivision_name1 = Country | subdivision_type2 = Córdoba Province | subdivision_name2 = Province | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max =  | source1 = Sierras de Córdoba | source1_location = | source1_coordinates=  | source1_elevation = | mouth = | mouth_location = Carcarañá River | mouth_coordinates =  | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = Paraná River | basin_size = | basin_landmarks = | basin_population = | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | waterbodies = | waterfalls = | bridges = | ports = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}

The '''Tercero River''' ({{langx|es|Río Tercero}}, 'Third River'), also known as '''Ctalamochita''', is the river in Córdoba Province of Argentina.

It originates in the Sierras de Córdoba near Cerro Champaquí and Calamuchita Valley, in an area of annual precipitation of between {{convert|600|and|1000|mm|in}}. Leaving the valley, it reaches the plains where four dams have been constructed, called Cerro Pelado Dam, Arroyo Corto Dam, Embalse Río Tercero — with {{convert|54.3|km2|mi2}} built in 1936 — and Piedras Moras, which serve as flow regulators and produce hydroelectricity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.diquesdecordoba.com.ar/dique-embalse/ |title=Embalse Río III|website=Diques de Córdoba|language=es |access-date=2026-01-28}}</ref>

The reservoirs created by the dams are also used for tourism and recreation, including water sports and fishing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cordobaturismo.gov.ar/experiencias/embalse-de-rio-tercero-o-ministro-pistarini/ |title=Embalse de Río Tercero o Ministro Pistarini |website=Turismo de Córdoba |publisher=Gobierno de la Provincia de Córdoba |language=es |access-date=2026-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Freyre |first1=Lauce Rubén |last2=Protogino |first2=Lucila Cristina |last3=Iwaskiw |first3=J. M. |title=Demography of the pejerrey (Basilichthys bonariensis bonariensis) (Pisces Atherinidae) in the Embalse Río Tercero, Córdoba |journal=Biología Acuática |volume=4 |year=1983 |pages=1–26 |language=es |issn=0326-1638 |url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7253876 |access-date=2026-01-28}}</ref>

It has a water flow of {{convert|27.17|m3/s|cuft/s}}, and flows {{convert|307|km|mi}} before reaching the Carcarañá River.

The river navigable for small- to medium-sized boats as it flows through the plains. It flows eastward into the Humid Pampas, which has an average rainfall of {{convert|730|mm|in}} per year. It joins the Saladillo River (also called the Cuarto River) to form the Carcarañá River, a tributary of the Paraná River.

Among the most important cities on the path of the Tercero are Río Tercero, Villa María, Villa Nueva, Bell Ville and Leones.

The word ''Ctalamochita'' (from which the term ''Calamuchita'' derives) seems to be a mixture of the Native American term ''ctala'' or ''tala'', meaning "important tree", and a deformation of the Spanish ''mucho'' or ''muchito'', finally meaning "area of many trees".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comercioyjusticia.info/opinion/el-senador-que-le-devolvio-el-nombre-a-los-rios-de-cordoba/ |title=El senador que le devolvió el nombre a los ríos de Córdoba |website=Comercio y Justicia |publisher=Comercio y Justicia |date= 2018-11-05|language=es |access-date=2026-01-28}}</ref> The name ''Tercero'' became more common since the 18th century, being the third of five rivers counting from Córdoba city.<ref>{{Cite book |last=González Navarro |first=Gustavo |title=Toponimia indígena en Córdoba |publisher=Editorial Brujas |year=2009 |isbn=978-987-591-029-4 |language=es}}</ref> Of them, the Tercero and the Cuarto (fourth) are the only ones to reach, indirectly, the Paraná River, being therefore tributaries to the Río de la Plata Basin.

==Bridges== The river has the following bridges from ''Piedras Moras'' dum to the Carcarañá River: * Piedras Moras Dum Bridge (in Almafuerte). * 6th State Road Bridge (in Rio Tercero). * East Bridge (in Rio Tercero). * Los Potreros Bridge (in the countryside 32° 9'3.98"S 64° 1'38.86"O). * West Bridge (in Villa Ascasubi). * East Bridge (in Villa Asasubi). * 10th State Road Bridge (in Pampayasta). * Andinian Bridge (in Villa Maria). * Velez Sarsfield Bridge (in Villa Maria - Villa Nueva). * 4th State Road Bridge (in Villa Maria - Villa Nueva). * Black Bridge (in Villa Maria - Villa Nueva). * 2nd State Road Bridge (in Villa Nueva). * Carcano Bridge (in Ramon J. Carcano). * Ballesteros Bridge (in Ballesteros). * Morrison Bridge (in Morrison). * Paso de la Arena Pedestrian Bridge (in Bell Ville). * Colon Bridge (in Bell Ville). * Bus Station Pedestrian Bridge (in Bell Ville). * Italia Bridge (in Bell Ville). * Colombia Pedestrian Bridge (in Bell Ville). * Falcato Pedestrian Bridge (in Bell Ville). * Bridge of he History (in Bell Ville). * Monte Leña Bridge (in Monte Leña). * San Marcos West Bridge (in the countryside 32°39'32.94"S 62°31'31.22"O). * San Marcos East Bridge (in the countryside 32°41'51.42"S 62°28'54.82"O). ==See also== * List of rivers of Argentina

{{coord|32|54|54|S|62|19|29|W|type:river_region:AR_dim:10km|display=title|notes=<ref>GNS coordinates adjusted using Google Maps, and [http://tools.freeside.sk/geolocator/geolocator.html GeoLocator]</ref>}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Rivers of Argentina Category:Tributaries of the Paraná River Category:Rivers of Córdoba Province, Argentina