Lebu River facts for kids
The Lebu River is an important river in the Arauco Province of Chile. It starts high up on the western side of the Nahuelbuta Range. This mountain range is east of the city and port of Lebu. The city is named after the river, and it is the capital of the province.
The Lebu River is formed when two smaller streams, the Curanilahue and Pilpilco, join together. This happens at the base of the Nahuelbuta mountains. From there, the river flows west. It gets wider as more streams, like the Quilañanco and Curihuillín, add their water. Many other small streams also join the river from the nearby forests.
The river eventually flows into the Pacific Ocean. Its mouth is located at about 37° 36' South latitude and 73° 41' West longitude. The river travels about 100 kilometers before it reaches the ocean. Near its end, there is a strong part of the river called the Salto de Gualgalén. About 20 kilometers from the ocean, the river meets the tidal estuary, where ocean water mixes with river water.
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Where the River Meets the Ocean
The place where the Lebu River meets the ocean forms a natural port. This area is between the Morro de Tucapel to the south and the Punta de Millonhue to the north. There is a sandbar at the river's mouth, which only has a narrow channel for boats to pass through.
Right in front of the city, the river's estuary is narrow. But further upstream, the river becomes wide and deep. Long ago, an old fort called Santa Margarita de Austria was located in the upper part of this estuary.
What Does "Lebu" Mean?
The name of the river, Lebu, comes from an old word. It is a changed version of the Mapudungun word leufü or leuvu. This word simply means "river." In the past, during colonial times, a river valley where Native American people lived was often called a levo.
How the 2010 Earthquake Changed the River
In 2010, a very strong earthquake hit Chile. This event caused a big change at the mouth of the Lebu River. A large, new island appeared there! This part of the coast was lifted up permanently by the earthquake. It was the area that rose the most after the earthquake.
Images for kids
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Lebu River
See also
In Spanish: Río Lebu para niños
