Silala River | |
Subdivision Type1: | Countries |
Subdivision Type2: | Department (BO) |
Subdivision Name2: | Potosí |
Subdivision Type3: | Region (CL) |
Subdivision Name3: | Antofagasta |
Length: | 8.5 km |
Discharge1 Location: | Bolivia–Chile border |
Discharge1 Avg: | 160 L/s |
Source1 Elevation: | c. 4400 m asl |
Mouth Location: | Inacaliri River |
The Silala or Siloli[1] is an international river arising from springs in Bolivia, and flowing naturally into Chile.
The division of the flow from this water body was a matter of controversy between the two nations, Chile claiming that the present route makes it an international river, while Bolivia denied there was a river and asserted that the Silala ‘springs’ would not flow to Chile if not for the construction of canals over a hundred years ago.[2] [3] [4] [5] In 2016, Chile demanded Bolivia in the International Court of Justice case Dispute over the Status and Use of the Waters of the Silala, in the countermemory, Bolivia recognized the water body as a river, redicing the controversy to artificial infrastructure in the place which would give a 30% more water to Chile. Finally in 2022 the Court ruled that the water body is in fact a river and that Chile has an equitable and reasonable right to use the waters of it.[6]