Cagayan River (Mindanao)
The Cagayan River, also known as the Cagayan de Oro River, is one of the rivers draining the northern central part of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The river has its headwaters in the Kalatungan Mountain Range and Kitanglad Mountain Range found in the central part of the province of Bukidnon. It traverses the municipalities of Talakag, Baungon, and Libona, connecting tributaries along the way. It finally empties into Macajalar Bay in Cagayan de Oro.
The river serves as the natural boundary between the province of Bukidnon and Iligan and between Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro, based on the administrative order issued by the defunct Department of Mindanao and Sulu during the American occupation of the Philippines. In Cagayan de Oro, it is the dividing line between its two Congressional districts.
The Cagayan River is a very popular site for whitewater rafting in the Philippines and has been promoted by the Department of Tourism as the main tourist attraction of Cagayan de Oro.
Etymology
The original name of the river is Kalambaguasasahan River, because of the presence of Lambago trees along the river banks. During the arrival of the Spaniards in Cagayan de Oro, the name was changed to Cagayan River.The name of the river Cagayan comes from the Malayo-Polynesian word "Ag", which means water. "Kagay" means river and "Kagayan" is place with a river. This river is not to be confused with the country's longest and largest river of the same name located in northern Luzon, despite sharing similar etymology with each other.
Geography
Course
The river's headwaters is found in the Kalatungan Mountain Range, in the central portion of the province of Bukidnon. It flows northward towards Cagayan de Oro for about before emptying into Macajalar Bay.Drainage Area
The river drains an area of approximately. About 80% of the drainage basin is located in the Province of Bukidnon and the rest is in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.Tributaries
The main tributaries of the Cagayan de Oro River are the following:- Kalawaig River
- Tagite River
- Bubunaoan River
- Tumalaong River
Mouth
The river's mouth is located in Cagayan de Oro. After a course from the mountains of Bukidnon, the river finally discharges its load to Macajalar Bay.Tourism
Whitewater rafting and kayaking
Whitewater rafting, kayaking and river trekking has been one of the tourism activities being promoted in the river. The city administration and the Department of Tourism made it as the banner tourism activity in Cagayan de Oro. The jump-off point of the river, whitewater rafting is at Barangay Mambuaya, a 30-40 minute ride from the city proper.Recently, whitewater rafting in the Cagayan River is gaining popularity through the years after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other famous personalities in the country have tried the challenging whitewater rafting in the river.