The Palena River or Carrenleufú is a river shared by Chile and Argentina in Northern Patagonia. It drains the waters of the Vintter Lake, also shared by these nations, and it flows into the Pacific Ocean. 56.5% of the river basin lies in Chile.[4]
| Palena River Río Buta Palena[1] Río Corcovado[2] | |
|---|---|
 Headwaters at Vintter Lake | |
| Native name | Carrenleufú (Mapudungun)[3] |
| Location | |
| Countries | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Vintter Lake |
| • location | Andes, Patagonia, Argentina |
| • coordinates | 43°53′58″S 71°25′32″W / 43.89944°S 71.42556°W |
| • elevation | 927 m (3,041 ft) |
| Mouth | Gulf of Corcovado |
• location | Pacific Ocean, Chile |
• coordinates | 43°46′04″S 72°58′33″W / 43.76778°S 72.97583°W[1] |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 240 km (150 mi) |
| Basin size | 12,887 km2 (4,976 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | mouth |
| • average | 130 m3/s (4,600 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Rosselot River Rio Risopatrón |
| • right | Rio Frio |
This river has a regular glacial regime and rapid white waters. The rapids between Palena and Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda are choice kayaking white water.[5] The volume and rapid drop in elevation of the river is ideal for hydroelectric power plants. There are several projects at both sides of the border to use this power.[citation needed]
Course
The river originates as the Carrenleufú as the out-flow from Lake Vintter. Its major tributaries include the Tranquilo, Figueroa, Frío, Risopatrón and Melimoyu rivers.[5]