Course
The Lerma River originates from the Lerma lagoons near Almoloya del Río, on a plateau more than 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) above sea level, and 24 kilometres (15 mi) southeast of Toluca. The lagoons receive their water from springs rising from basaltic volcanics that flow down from Monte de Las Cruces. These are located between the Valley of Toluca and the Mexico Basin.
The river forms the short border between the states of Querétaro and Michoacán then flows west-northwest through the state of Guanajuato. After turning southward, the river separates Guanajuato and Michoacán, and Michoacán and Jalisco before flowing, after a course of about 560 kilometres (350 mi), into Lake Chapala, 24 kilometres (15 mi) west-southwest of La Barca. It has a length of 750 kilometres (470 mi). When it empties into Lake Chapala, the system stands at 1,510 metres (4,950 ft) above sea level.
Some people consider the 400-kilometre (249 mi) long Río Grande de Santiago, which continues from Lake Chapala northwest towards the Pacific Ocean, to be a continuation of the Lerma River.
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