Agus River
Maria Cristina Falls, a prominent geographical landmark on the Agus River
Lake Lanao-Agus River watershed area
Agus River mouth Show map of Mindanao Agus River (Philippines) Show map of Philippines
Location
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao BARMM
Province	Lanao del Sur Lanao del Norte
Physical characteristics
Source	Lake Lanao
• location	Lanao del Sur, BARMM
• coordinates	7°53′31″N 124°15′09″E / 7.89194°N 124.25250°E / 7.89194; 124.25250
• elevation	700 m (2,300 ft)
Mouth	Iligan Bay
• location	Iligan City, Northern Mindanao
• coordinates	8°11′50″N 124°11′21″E / 8.19722°N 124.18917°E / 8.19722; 124.18917
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	36.5 km (22.7 mi)
Basin size	1,645 km2 (635 sq mi)
Discharge
• location	Iligan Bay
• average	10 m3/s (350 cu ft/s)

The Agus River is a river that flows for 36.5 kilometres (22.7 mi)^[1][2] from Lanao Lake 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.^[3] The river descends for about 2,200 feet (670 m) from its source as it flows for 21 miles (34 km) before draining to the sea. The river is relatively shallow as it is only 4 feet (1.2 m) deep in some areas.^[4] The Agus River's watershed spans about 11,320.00 hectares.^[5] In 1992, the National Power Corporation financed the reforestation of the Lake Lanao-Agus River watershed, planting over 1500 hectares of Acacia mangium, Durio zibethinus, and other indigenous trees.^[6] It has a discharge of about 10 cubic metres per second (350 cu ft/s) and flows from a narrow depression off the northwestern rim of the lake^[7] and flows over a basalt rock formation.^[8] The canyon carved by the river suggests a short erosional period.^[9]

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.^[10] 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.^[3] 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.^[11]

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.^[12]