Agus River

---

title: "Agus River" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["rivers-of-the-philippines", "landforms-of-lanao-del-norte", "landforms-of-lanao-del-sur"] description: "River in Mindanao, Philippines" topic_path: "geography/philippines" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agus_River" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary River in Mindanao, Philippines ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox river"]

Field	Value
name	Agus River
image	MariaCristinaFallsJuly2006.jpg
image_caption	Maria Cristina Falls, a prominent geographical landmark on the Agus River
map	Lake Lanao-Agus watershed.png
map_size	250
map_caption	Lake Lanao-Agus River watershed area
mapframe	yes
mapframe-zoom	9
mapframe-wikidata	yes
mapframe-point	none
pushpin_map	Mindanao mainland#Philippines
pushpin_map_caption	Agus River mouth
subdivision_type1	Country
subdivision_name1	Philippines
subdivision_type2	Region
subdivision_name2
subdivision_type3	Province
subdivision_name3
length	36.5 km
discharge1_location	Iligan Bay
discharge1_avg	10 m3/s
source1	Lake Lanao
source1_location	Lanao del Sur, BARMM
source1_coordinates
source1_elevation	700 m
mouth	Iligan Bay
mouth_location	Iligan City, Northern Mindanao
mouth_coordinates
mouth_elevation	0 m
basin_size	1645 km2
::

| name = Agus River | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology = | image = MariaCristinaFallsJuly2006.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Maria Cristina Falls, a prominent geographical landmark on the Agus River | map = Lake Lanao-Agus watershed.png | map_size = 250 | map_caption = Lake Lanao-Agus River watershed area | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | mapframe-wikidata = yes | mapframe-point = none | pushpin_map = Mindanao mainland#Philippines | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= Agus River mouth | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Philippines | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Province | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = | length = 36.5 km | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= Iligan Bay | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = 10 m3/s | discharge1_max = | source1 = Lake Lanao | source1_location = Lanao del Sur, BARMM | source1_coordinates= | source1_elevation = 700 m | mouth = Iligan Bay | mouth_location = Iligan City, Northern Mindanao | mouth_coordinates = | mouth_elevation = 0 m | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = 1645 km2 | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data =

The Agus River is a river that flows for 36.5 km from Lake Lanao to Iligan Bay, Philippines. It cuts through the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. Settlements along the banks of the river include the city of Marawi, the municipality of Linamon, and the city of Iligan. It separates into two channels as it drains to Iligan Bay; one goes over the Maria Cristina Falls, while the other supplies the Tinago Falls. The river descends for about 2200 ft from its source as it flows for 21 mi before draining to the sea. The river is relatively shallow as it is only 4 ft deep in some areas. The Agus River's watershed spans about 11,320.00 hectares. It has a discharge of about 10 m3/s and flows from a narrow depression off the northwestern rim of the lake and flows over a basalt rock formation. The canyon carved by the river suggests a short erosional period.

Importance to humans

The lake and the river are used for both commercial and sport fishing, as well as for recreational activities such as boating and swimming. The river in its entirety, however, is not navigable because the current in some areas reaches a velocity of up to thirty miles an hour. The NAPOCOR's hydroelectric project on the Agus River generates 70% of the electricity used in Mindanao due to the hydroelectric plants in the river and Maria Cristina Falls. However, the hydroelectric plants and the requisite regulatory dams have changed the fluctuations of the water level of Lake Lanao, affecting the indigenous people, and producing conflicts with the local population.

In Maranao mythology, Lake Lanao once threatened to drown the people of Sebangan with its ever-rising waters. The Archangel Gabriel is thought to have made the Agus River to drain the lake.

Timoga Springs

An Agus River tributary provides Timoga Springs with water; the springs is roughly 1 km from the Maria Cristina Falls. The water from Timoga Springs runs out to resorts and private swimming pools. The swimming pools are encircled by numerous food booths. The Rough Guides called the Timoga Springs "ice-cold, crystal-clear and non-chlorinated".

References

References

1. Prof. Geoffrey G. Salgado. "Official Website of the Iligan City Government - Growth of an Industrial City". Iligan City Government.
2. "Principal River Basins of the Philippines", Published by the National Water Resources Board, October 1976 (p. 12)
3. The Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources. "Philippines". International Water Management Institute.
4. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. (1921). "United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands...". Govt. print. off..
5. (2006). "Watershed Areas". Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines).
6. Philippines Bureau of Science. "Monograph".
7. Ehrlich, Paul R.. (1969). "Papers on Evolution". Little, Brown.
8. Nieva, Gregorio. (1921). "The Philippine review (Revista filipina): (Revista Filipino); a Monthly ...". Gregorio Nieva.
9. Concepciòn, Sylvia. (December 2003). "Breaking the links between economics and conflict in Mindanao". International Alert.
10. "How the Angels Built Lake Lanao". SEAsite: Center for Southeast Asian Studies Northern Illinois University.
11. Peters, Jens. (1991). "Philippines, a travel survival kit". [[Lonely Planet]].
12. (1994). "Philippines Handbook". [[Moon Publications]].
13. (2014). "The Rough Guide to the Philippines". [[Rough Guides]].
14. Peters, Jens. (1997). "Philippines". [[Lonely Planet]].
15. (2015). "Lonely Planet Philippines". [[Lonely Planet]].

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