Agusan River
The Agusan River, located in the north-eastern part of Mindanao island, is the third longest river in the Philippines, draining the majority of the Caraga region and some parts of Davao de Oro. It is the country's third-largest river (after the Cagayan River and the Rio Grande de Mindanao), with a total drainage area of 11,937 square kilometers (4,609 square miles) and an estimated length of 349 kilometers (217 miles) from its headwaters.
The river's headwaters are located in the mountains of Davao de Oro, near the border with Davao Oriental and east of Tagum. It flows through the broad Agusan River valley, which stretches 177 kilometers (110 miles) from south to north and varies in width from 32 to 48 kilometers (20–30 miles). It eventually empties into Butuan Bay at its mouth in Butuan.
The presence of the Agusan Marsh, which covers a total area of 19,197 hectares, is one of the most notable features of the Agusan River basin (47,440 acres). The marsh acts as a flood retention basin for the Agusan River, reducing the high discharge of water that causes flash floods in the river's lower reaches. Aside from that, the marsh is home to endangered and endemic flora and fauna, as well as unique and pristine habitats such as sago and peat swamp forests. As a result, it was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1996 by then-President Fidel V. Ramos.
Length: 349 km (217 mi)
