Maipo River

Maipo River
Mouth	Pacific Ocean
Basin countries	Chile
Length	250 km [1]
Avg. discharge	92.3 m³/s
Basin area	15,304 km² [1]

Maipo River is the main river flowing through Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile. Its headwaters are on the west slope of Maipo volcano, in the Andes. Its most famous tributary is Mapocho River. The Maipo River is by far the major source of irrigation and potable water for the region.^[1][2]

Course

In its upper course the river runs as an entrenched torrent through the Andes mountains. Here, it receives three major tributaries: El Volcán River, Yeso River and Colorado River. After leaving the Andes, the Maipo flows through the valley that bears its name. It is the best known wine-producing region in Chile.^[2] The Maipo River travels 250 km before emptying into the Pacific Ocean near the locality of Llolleo, south of the port of San Antonio.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Cuenca del río Maipo
2. ^ ^{a b} Cai, Ximing; Claudia Ringler and Mark W. Rosegrant (2006). Modeling Water Resources Management at the Basin Level: Methodology and Application to the Maipo River Basin. Washington DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. ISBN 978-0896291522. 

External links

• Río Maipo Map

Coordinates: 33°36′40″S 71°37′50″W / 33.61111°S 71.63056°W / -33.61111; -71.63056