Palena River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palena RiverRío Buta Palena |
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Headwaters at Vintter Lake
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| Native name | Carrenleufú (Mapudungun) |
| Other name(s) | Río Corcovado |
| Countries | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Vintter Lake Andes, Patagonia, Argentina 927 m (3,041 ft) 43°53′58″S 71°25′32″W / 43.89944°S 71.42556°W |
| River mouth | Gulf of Corcovado Pacific Ocean, Chile 0 m (0 ft) 43°46′04″S 72°58′33″W / 43.76778°S 72.97583°W |
| Length | 240 km (150 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 12,887 km2 (4,976 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The Palena River, also called Carrenleufú, is an important river that flows through two countries: Chile and Argentina. It's located in a beautiful area called Northern Patagonia. This river starts from Vintter Lake, which is also shared by both nations. From there, it travels all the way to the Pacific Ocean. A big part of the river's basin, about 56.5%, is located in Chile.
The Palena River is known for its fast-moving, white waters. This means the water flows very quickly and can look foamy and white, especially in certain sections. The river gets a lot of its water from melting glaciers, which is why it has a "glacial regime." The rapids between Palena and Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda are super popular for white water kayaking. Because the river has a lot of water and drops quickly in height, it's also a great place for hydroelectric power plants. These plants use the force of the water to create electricity. There are plans on both sides of the border to use the river's power.
Where the River Flows
The Palena River begins as the Carrenleufú when water flows out of Lake Vintter. As it travels, other smaller rivers join it, adding more water. Some of its main tributaries (smaller rivers that flow into a larger one) include the Tranquilo, Figueroa, Frío, Risopatrón, and Melimoyu rivers.
See Also
