Chepo River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chepo River |
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 Location of mouth
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| Country | Panama |
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| River mouth | 8°59′53″N 79°06′49″W / 8.9980°N 79.1136°W |
The Chepo River is an important river in Panama. It flows through the Chepo District in Panama Province and eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean. Rivers like the Chepo are vital for the environment and local communities.
Contents
Where Does the Chepo River Flow?
The River's Journey from Mountains to Ocean
The Chepo River starts its long journey high in the mountains. The very top parts of the Chepo River are also known as the Bayano River. This name change happened after the Bayano Dam was built. The dam created a huge lake, which is a reservoir, covering about 350 square kilometers (135 square miles).
The river's beginnings, called its headwaters, collect water from different places. Some water comes from the San Blas Mountains, which are close to the Caribbean Sea. Other parts of the river get water from the Majé Mountains and the Darien Mountains.
Key Rivers Joining the Chepo
As the Chepo River flows downstream, other smaller rivers join it. One of the most important rivers that flows into the Chepo is the Mamoni River. A river that flows into a larger river is called a tributary.
How Long is the Chepo River?
When you combine the Chepo and Bayano parts, the river measures about 206 kilometers (128 miles) long. This makes the Chepo-Bayano River the third longest river in all of Panama!
Important River Towns
Near where the Chepo River meets the ocean, there is a town called Coquira. This town is a main riverine port. A riverine port is like a harbor for boats, but it's located on a river instead of the sea. It's a place where goods can be loaded and unloaded from boats.
See also
In Spanish: Río Bayano para niños
