Río Futaleufú

Rio Futaleufú
Entrance to Infierno Canyon on the Futaleufu
Physical characteristics
Main source	Argentina
River mouth	Yelcho Lake, Chile
Length	105 km (65 mi)

Coordinates: 43°25′S 72°05′W / 43.41°S 72.09°W / -43.41; -72.09

The Futaleufú River, located in northern Patagonia, is one of the premier whitewater rivers in the world. The river is fed by glacial snow melt in the Andean lakes region of Argentina and Chile. The river gorge drops as low as 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) below the surrounding glaciated peaks. The name Futaleufú is an indigenous Mapuche word meaning "Big River.” Locals refer to the valley as "un paisaje pintado por dios"—a landscape painted by God.

The Futaleufú is fed by the lakes in the Los Alerces National Park in Chubut Province, Argentina. The watershed drains the Southern Andes Mountains from Argentina into Chile and drains into Yelcho Lake. From this point the river is renamed Rio Yelcho and continues to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. The exact source of the Futaleufu is in Amutui Quimey Lake. From its source in Argentina, the river flows 35 kilometres (22 mi) to the Chilean border and enters the Palena Province, in Los Lagos (X) Region. Whitewater enthusiasts generally paddle the Chilean side of the river. During its course through Chile, the Futaleufú River has three major tributaries, the Rio Chico, the Rio Espolon, and the Rio Azul. All three major tributaries of the "Futa" can be rafted or kayaked in season, with the exception of a magnificent gorge on the Espolon called "The Devil's Throat," which is better viewed than paddled. The Futaleufú watershed also includes several pristine Patagonian lakes, the largest being Espolon and Lonconao.