river in southern Argentina, rising in Buenos Aires Lake in the Andes of southern Chile and Argentina. It flows generally eastward and southeastward through Santa Cruz province. Near Koluel Kayke and Jaramillo it sometimes disappears into the dry soils of Patagonia, but it reemerges and empties into the Atlantic at Puerto Deseado. The total length of the Deseado is approximately 380 miles (610 km). It is used for irrigation along its lower course.