Calle-Calle River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calle-Calle River |
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View of Calle-Calle River a few kilometers upstream from Valdivia
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| Native name | Río Calle-Calle (Spanish) |
| Other name(s) | Gudalafquén (Mapudungun) |
| Country | Chile |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | San Pedro River |
| River mouth | Valdivia River |
| Length | 55 km (34 mi) |
The Calle-Calle River is a river in southern Chile, located in the Valdivia Province. It's also known by its Mapuche language name, Gudalafquén. This river carries water from the San Pedro River into the Valdivia River. The Valdivia River then flows out to Corral Bay and the great Pacific Ocean.
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What's in a Name?
The Calle-Calle River gets its name from a special flower. The word "Calle-Calle" comes from the Mapuche language. It refers to the beautiful Libertia chilensis flower, which grows in the region.
A River You Can Sail On
The Calle-Calle is quite special because it's one of the few rivers in Chile where boats can travel. This makes it important for transportation and fun activities. In the city of Valdivia, two main bridges cross the river. These are the Calle-Calle Bridge and the Santa Elvira Bridge. They help people and cars get across the water.
Valdivia's Water Supply
The city of Valdivia gets most of its drinking water from the Calle-Calle River. The water is taken from a spot near a place called Cuesta Soto.
Saltwater Challenges
Recently, there have been some problems with the river's water quality. Less rain, possibly due to climate change, means the river has less fresh water. This allows salty water from the coast to move further upstream into the river.
When saltwater mixes with the fresh water, it can change the taste of the city's drinking water. This problem was especially noticed in 2015. People started complaining about the taste of their tap water. Experts believe that more saltwater will enter the rivers near Valdivia in the future, especially during autumn. This happens when the water flow from the Cruces River and Calle-Calle River drops too low.
See also
In Spanish: Río Calle-Calle para niños
