16 

 characterized by low relief and a number of linear fault depressions in which streams, lakes, and lake 

 beds are located. This district also includes offshore islands of fault origin. The Ri'o Bee District, 

 encompassing a small portion of the state along the western boundary, is an area of intermittent lakes; 

 broad, conical hills; and high linear ridges. The drainage patterns of this distria are poorly developed. 



Hydrology 



Due to the low relief and limestone surface of Quintana Roo, riyers and lakes are rare, but the 

 water table is high. Water frequently is found in wells today at depths of only a few meters (Wilson, 

 1980). In pre-Hispanic times, however, the Maya technology was insufficient for digging wells 

 through the limestone so people often constructed cisterns to store water during the dry season (Killion 

 et al., 1989). The Maya located their settlements near sinkholes that contained water during the entire 

 year (Wilson, 1980). 



Below the rock surface of the Yucatan Peninsula, a layer of freshwater overlies a layer of 

 saline water (Back and Lesser, 1981). Movement of the freshwater is not via underground rivers, 

 however, as is the case in Florida. Rather, due to hydrostatic pressure generated by rainfall, the 

 freshwater moves along underground rock fractures from the interior of the Yucatan Peninsula to each 

 coast. As a result, the underground freshwater is widely available rather than being found only in 

 isolated areas. 



The wide distribution of underground freshwater also has its drawbacks. Recently, geologists 

 have questioned the wisdom of coastal developments for tourism or agriculture that might pierce the 

 aquifer in the Yucatan Peninsula and allow freshwater and saline water to mix (Perry et al., 1989, 

 1990; Smart and Whilaker, 1990). Such mixing would be deleterious to wildlife, plants, and humans. 



There are few sources of surface water in the state for either people or wildlife. The only 

 river in Quintana Roo is the Rio Hondo, which forms the border with Belize and drains into Chetumal 

 Bay. There are about 34 shallow lakes in Quintana Roo (Escobar Nava, 1986). Sinkholes (cenotes) 

 are widely distributed throughout the state and may measure up to 60 m in diameter (e.g., the "Sacred 



