La Vieja River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Vieja River |
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La Vieja River, at the mouth of the Roble River
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| Country | Colombian departments of Quindío, Valle del Cauca and Risaralda |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Valle de Maravelez, Quindío, Colombia 4°23′40″N 75°48′10″W / 4.39444°N 75.80278°W |
| River mouth | Cauca River 4°48′25″N 75°56′08″W / 4.80694°N 75.93556°W |
| Length | 102 km (63 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 2,925 km2 (1,129 sq mi) |
The La Vieja River (which means "The Old Woman River" in Spanish) is an important river in Colombia. It flows through three different areas called departments: Quindío, Valle del Cauca, and Risaralda. This river is a big branch that flows into the larger Cauca River.
Contents
Where the River Starts and Flows
The La Vieja River begins when two other rivers, the Quindío River and the Barragán River, join together. This happens in a place known as the Valle de Maravelez.
The river is about 102 kilometers (63 miles) long. It flows mostly towards the northwest. Finally, it meets the Cauca River about 7 kilometers (4 miles) north of Cartago.
River Branches and Borders
Many smaller rivers flow into the La Vieja River. Some of these are the Roble, Consota, Barbas, Espejo, and Pijao rivers. These smaller rivers are called tributaries.
The La Vieja River also acts like a natural border. It marks the edge between the Quindío and Valle del Cauca departments. It also forms part of the border between Risaralda and Valle del Cauca.
The River's Surrounding Area
The area that the La Vieja River and its branches drain is called its basin. This basin covers about 2,925 square kilometers (1,129 square miles). It includes the entire department of Quindío.
Even though Cartago is the only big city right on the river, other large cities are nearby. Armenia and Pereira are both located in the river's watershed. The river's average flow is about 92 cubic meters (3,249 cubic feet) of water per second.
Fun Activities on the River
One popular activity on the La Vieja River is called balsaje. This is a fun way for tourists to explore the river. Groups of up to 16 people float down the slow-moving river on large rafts. These rafts are made from a type of bamboo called guadua.
Most of these trips start from Puerto Samaria in Montenegro, Quindío. They usually end at Puerto Alejandrino in nearby Quimbaya. This activity has become very popular. In 2000, about 400 people tried it, but by 2003, over 11,000 people were enjoying balsaje. Many companies now offer these river tours.
Keeping the River Clean
The La Vieja River faces some pollution problems. This is mainly because the water from homes and cities in its basin is not always cleaned properly before it goes into the river. Efforts are being made to improve how wastewater is treated to help keep the river healthy.
See also
In Spanish: Río La Vieja para niños
