Mar Chiquita is fed primarily by the saline waters of the
Dulce River, coming from
Santiago del Estero in the north after being joined by the
Saladillo River. The lands around the lower course of the Dulce and Mar Chiquita are
wetlands, populated by a large
biodiversity (especially aquatic birds). From the southwest the lake receives the flow of the
Primero/Suquía and the
Segundo/Xanaes rivers, as well as several streams; these inflows vary greatly from dry to rainy seasons. The
salinity of Mar Chiquita is quite variable, with measured extremes ranging from 250 g/L in times of low water levels to around 40 g/L in very humid years, such as in the decade following 1977, when record rainfall flooded much of
Miramar, Córdoba. There are several islands in the lake, the most important one being the Médano Island. Mar Chiquita is slowly diminishing in volume due to increased evaporation and elevation of its bottom, and is ultimately bound to turn into a
salt flat. According to the Mono Lake Committee,
Aves Argentinas and
Argentina Natura International are attempting to establish "the largest National Park in Argentina at Laguna Mar Chiquita, the" (northern) "winter home to large concentrations of
Wilson's Phalaropes." The lake was formerly home to a growing tourism industry, and was the site of the
Gran Hotel Viena, a luxurious, lakefront establishment which functioned from 1945 to 1980, and has been the center of numerous mysteries and controversies. In June 2022, the surrounding wetlands and the lake were officially designated as Ansenuza National Park, becoming the largest national park in Argentina. The park protects over 19,000 km2 of lagoons, marshes, and forests, and is considered one of the most important wetlands in South America. It is a key breeding ground for three South American flamingo species, as well as a critical stopover for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. ==References==