385:, and each section offers a unique spread of difficulty. The most difficult and dangerous is the upper section, 22 kilometres (14 mi), containing 6 class V rapids and the highly continuous “Wild Mile” class IV section. The middle 7 kilometres (4 mi) contains what many consider to be the longest and most technical rapid on the river, Terminator (class V+), along with several other difficult class IV rapids. Because most of these are conducive to avoiding or portaging, however, the middle section less demanding than the upper. The lower section, 13 kilometres (8 mi), is very popular for its high-quality, continuous, class IV big water rapids, and a few class Vs. El Macal is popular with beginner paddlers for its class III rapids in the upper section, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), which are a safer introduction to the Futaleufú's big water, and for its lower flatwater section, also 4 kilometres (2.5 mi).
482:
coming years, drawn by the
Futaleufú's pristine whitewater and unspoiled natural scenery. Ecotourism is already bringing an influx of money to the region and can multiply benefits in the future. However, the industry must be managed carefully to minimize environmental impact and empower local communities. High traffic during the tourism season can cause degradation from transportation demands, energy use, and waste. Additionally, if tourist attractions and infrastructure are not owned and operated locally, revenue may escape the region rather than capturing benefit for the people who live there.
163:
426:. The Endesa proposal would have built three dams, quelling the river's free flow and covering many of the rapids with a series of reservoirs. Several Chilean as well as international non-profit organizations joined forces to fight the dam project and protect the natural areas and communities of the Futaleufú watershed, regarding the area as an international treasure. In October 2014, citing international opposition, Endesa removed the Futaleufú from its list of future projects.
22:
341:
478:, as many local people, including some of indigenous heritage, would be disenfranchised by changing land use and economic structure. Some energy from hydropower companies would be used locally by residents, mining operations, and other industry, but Endesa's previous plans suggest that most electricity would be transmitted northward to Chile's metropolitan areas, which commonly experience power shortages.
389:
474:, and mining sites are largely incompatible with previous land uses in areas where this new infrastructure would be established. If completed, dams and their accompanying infrastructure would open previously remote areas to mining activities—for which some companies already have listed claims. This raises issues of
490:
When Endesa retracted its plans for building three large hydroelectric dams, the company acknowledged widespread international opposition as a major reason for the decision. This is a major victory for activists, but no one denies that the watershed is still threatened. Endesa could reopen plans or
469:
Hydropower development promises affordable electricity and creation of new jobs in the region, and mining industry would likely follow with more jobs. However, such activities would exclude much traditional economy and tourism around the
Futaleufú, possibly displacing more jobs than they create for
336:
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 gorge on the Espolon called "The Devil's Throat". The Futaleufú
498:
are notable NGOs that currently advocate for the
Futaleufú. Futaleufú Riverkeeper--based in New York City, USA, and Futaleufú Chile--has been outspoken on the front line of much debate surrounding the river. It is the only keeper organization dedicated to the Futaleufú. Executive Director Rocio
481:
Many residents and community organizers believe that tourism may be the key to a more sustainable path toward development in Palena and be better for its communities in the long run. In the absence of hydropower and extractive development, tourist visitation is expected to continue increasing in
380:
The internationally acclaimed rapids are on the
Chilean side of the river. Paddlers describe the Chilean side of the Futaleufú in four distinct sections—the Upper, Middle, Lower, El Macal whitewater (Bottom), and El Macal flatwater. Rapids range in difficulty from Class II to Class V+ on the
933:
699:
438:, which retains power to override ownership rights in the face of unacceptable impact or risk. This legal tool has been used to halt projects elsewhere in the past, but the policy implications of a would-be impact assessment in the Futaleufú watershed remain unclear.
450:, and natural scenery that attract competing interests concerning utilization. This predominantly rural region relies on small-scale agriculture and fisheries as its principal industries, and currently ranks among Chile's lowest in economic performance.
1075:
429:
Chile's extensively privatized economy has allowed Endesa to purchase water rights throughout the country—effectively owning a portion of the
Futaleufú's water to use at its discretion. In addition, mining companies have filed claims to extract
371:
The first raft descent was attempted in 1985 by a group led by Steve Curry. The first successful raft descent was in 1991, when a group led by Eric Hertz and Chris
Spelius were able to complete the entire whitewater section of the river.
499:
Gonzalez is a
Chilean native and lives in Futaleufú with her family. Patrick J. Lynch, the organization's International Director, is a public interest lawyer licensed in New York. Another U.S. attorney involved with the Futaleufú is
401:
Currently, the
Futaleufú is dammed once near its source in Argentina and is free flowing through Chile. The Futaleufú Hydroelectric Complex in Argentina, also known as Dam Amutui Quimey, is a 120-metre (390 ft) high embankment
514:
is president of the
Chilean NGO Ecosistemas and board member of International Rivers, a US-based NGO involved with rivers worldwide. International Rivers and the broader coalition Patagonia Defense Council (CDP) popularized the
529:, a documentary film by Stephanie Haig, was released in 2013 and has toured international film festivals. The film highlights the effects that hydroelectric dams would have on the watershed and the people living there.
410:
behind the dam, is now in place of what used to be three natural glacial lakes. After leaving the dam, the Futaleufú is free flowing for the remainder of its 105-kilometre (65 mi) journey until Yelcho Lake.
1045:
908:
674:
462:
is, in fact, visited by international tourists more than any other rural region of Chile. These same mountains and rivers, however, are prime targets for resource development by mining and
434:
beneath and surrounding the Futaleufú. Any such large-scale development project, hydroelectric or mining, is subject to an environmental impact assessment and permitting by the
1118:
796:"International Trade and Sustainable Tourism in Chile: preliminary assessment of the sustainability of tourism in Chile in the context of current trade liberalization"
458:
have been steadily contributing to growth in recent years, as Chilean and international visitors are attracted to the area's rugged mountains and whitewater rivers.
1256:
1342:
989:
1053:
1317:
1272:
1111:
1403:
1347:
120:
1104:
86:
622:
795:
382:
58:
361:
stages an annual river festival called "Futafest". The Futaleufú and its tributary streams and lakes are also destinations for
865:
title,1303.html?id=CH0172 "Informe de Terminacion de Proyecto: CH0172 Community Based Tourism Development - Chiloe and Palena"
752:
title,1303.html?id=CH0172 "Informe de Terminacion de Proyecto: CH0172 Community Based Tourism Development - Chiloe and Palena"
289:
gorge drops as low as 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) below the surrounding glaciated peaks. The name Futaleufú is an indigenous
65:
1398:
1393:
519:(Patagonia without dams) campaign. This internationally supported movement was influential in opposition to the proposed
959:
39:
1388:
72:
105:
293:
word meaning "Big River". Locals refer to the valley as "un paisaje pintado por Dios" — a landscape painted by God.
54:
368:
The Futaleufú was first kayaked in January 1985 by Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Lars Holbek & Eric Magneson.
325:. From its source in Argentina, the river flows 35 kilometres (22 mi) to the Chilean border and enters the
43:
997:
1373:
353:
The Futaleufú (The 'Fu' or ‘Futa’ for short) is known for its turquoise waters, a phenomenon produced by
648:
837:
274:
1019:
302:
282:
1378:
79:
310:
32:
337:
watershed also includes several lakes including Lago Espolon, Lago Lonconao, and Lago Pinilla.
1408:
516:
500:
1251:
545:
1337:
571:
475:
446:
The Futaleufú area of Palena District Chile, is rich in natural resources of timber, water,
725:
504:
495:
523:
hydropower project, which was disapproved by Chile's Committee of Ministers in June 2014.
8:
1292:
1287:
1195:
1160:
909:"Endesa habría desechado proyecto en río Futaleufú y recorta su potencial hidroeléctrico"
893:
823:
780:
675:"Endesa habría desechado proyecto en río Futaleufú y recorta su potencial hidroeléctrico"
406:
with 472 megawatt generation capacity that was finished in 1978. Amutui Quimey lake, the
1215:
864:
751:
485:
358:
1383:
1230:
934:"Chilean financial press reports cancellation of hydro project on the Futaleufú River"
700:"Chilean financial press reports cancellation of hydro project on the Futaleufú River"
597:
1210:
880:
810:
767:
511:
435:
1205:
321:. From this point the river is renamed Rio Yelcho and continues to its mouth at the
309:, Argentina. The name, Futaleufú, is given to the river below the Futaleufú Dam and
1180:
1175:
1131:
471:
459:
451:
419:
330:
1327:
1190:
1096:
1332:
1297:
1282:
1155:
326:
314:
306:
221:
447:
423:
415:
1367:
1150:
967:
322:
135:
122:
520:
162:
1322:
1312:
1307:
1235:
1200:
1165:
354:
1352:
1225:
1220:
1185:
1145:
1127:
362:
333:. Whitewater enthusiasts generally paddle the Chilean side of the river.
318:
248:
233:
1302:
1277:
463:
455:
273:, is one of two rivers that cross the 5,308 kilometres (3,298 mi)
486:
Nonprofit organizations and activists that advocate for the Futaleufu
407:
270:
184:
21:
340:
290:
278:
388:
277:. Its headwaters can be found in the glacial snow melt of the
286:
189:
841:
503:, well-known luminary of environmental law and president of
491:
sell its development rights to another company at any time.
1076:"Fighting for the Futaleufú: New film shows what's at risk"
623:"The Futaleufú - The Story of the First Rafting Expedition"
431:
403:
392:
Hydroelectric Complex Futaleufu Argentina built in 1976
344:
A kayaker runs a rapid on the Futaleufú River on Chile.
301:
The Futaleufú River is fed by a chain of lakes in the
862:
749:
1126:
46:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1365:
863:Macagno, L.; Venegas, J.; Lois, F.; Naveas, P.
750:Macagno, L.; Venegas, J.; Lois, F.; Naveas, P.
1043:
906:
672:
1112:
422:project on the Chilean side of the Futaleufú
167:Entrance to Infierno Canyon on the Futaleufu
1119:
1105:
801:. Trade Knowledge Network. Archived from
317:from Argentina into Chile and drains into
1044:Pizarro, Carolina; Morticorena, Jessica.
106:Learn how and when to remove this message
494:Futaleufú Riverkeeper, Ecosistemas, and
470:local residents. Reservoirs, new roads,
387:
339:
383:International Scale of River Difficulty
1366:
1404:International rivers of South America
1100:
1046:"Las definiciones de la nueva Endesa"
313:. The watershed drains the Southern
44:adding citations to reliable sources
15:
13:
793:
441:
14:
1420:
867:. Inter-American Development Bank
754:. Inter-American Development Bank
161:
20:
1082:. Patagon Journal Publicaciones
1068:
1037:
1012:
982:
952:
940:. Patagon Journal Publicaciones
926:
900:
856:
830:
787:
706:. Patagon Journal Publicaciones
31:needs additional citations for
990:"Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. - Bio"
743:
718:
692:
666:
641:
615:
590:
564:
538:
414:The multinational corporation
1:
907:Astudillo, A.; Esturillo, J.
673:Astudillo, A.; Esturillo, J.
348:
199:Physical characteristics
1052:. La Tercera. Archived from
357:. Every summer, the town of
296:
7:
598:"History of First Descents"
244: • location
217: • location
10:
1425:
1394:Rivers of Los Lagos Region
527:Fighting for the Futaleufú
1389:Rivers of Chubut Province
1265:
1244:
1138:
960:"Staff and Collaborators"
649:"Futaleufú dam and river"
375:
303:Los Alerces National Park
283:Los Alerces National Park
255:
242:
232:
228:
215:
207:
203:
198:
177:
172:
160:
155:
150:River in Argentina, Chile
1020:"Patagonia Sin Represas"
576:The Journal of Lost Time
550:The Journal of Lost Time
532:
259:105 km (65 mi)
418:proposed a large-scale
396:
311:Amutui Quimey Reservoir
1399:Argentina–Chile border
517:Patagonia Sin Represas
501:Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
393:
345:
275:Argentina–Chile border
269:, located in northern
964:Futaleufu Riverkeeper
730:Central Bank of Chile
726:"Statistics Database"
476:environmental justice
391:
343:
1024:International Rivers
994:Waterkeeper Alliance
627:Northwest Rafting Co
546:"Patagonia in White"
505:Waterkeeper Alliance
496:International Rivers
331:Los Lagos (X) Region
40:improve this article
1374:Rivers of Argentina
970:on 13 November 2014
572:"Un Paraíso Aparte"
132: /
1000:on 9 November 2014
653:Patagonia.com (AR)
436:Chilean government
394:
346:
285:in Argentina. The
1361:
1360:
913:Diario Financiero
679:Diario Financiero
629:. 17 October 2015
578:. 26 October 2020
512:Juan Pablo Orrego
510:Chilean attorney
263:
262:
116:
115:
108:
90:
55:"Futaleufú River"
1416:
1338:Todos los Santos
1132:Los Lagos Region
1121:
1114:
1107:
1098:
1097:
1092:
1091:
1089:
1087:
1072:
1066:
1065:
1063:
1061:
1041:
1035:
1034:
1032:
1030:
1016:
1010:
1009:
1007:
1005:
996:. Archived from
986:
980:
979:
977:
975:
966:. Archived from
956:
950:
949:
947:
945:
930:
924:
923:
921:
919:
904:
898:
897:
891:
886:
884:
876:
874:
872:
860:
854:
853:
851:
849:
840:. Archived from
834:
828:
827:
821:
816:
814:
806:
804:
800:
791:
785:
784:
778:
773:
771:
763:
761:
759:
747:
741:
740:
738:
736:
722:
716:
715:
713:
711:
696:
690:
689:
687:
685:
670:
664:
663:
661:
659:
645:
639:
638:
636:
634:
619:
613:
612:
610:
608:
594:
588:
587:
585:
583:
568:
562:
561:
559:
557:
542:
472:land degradation
452:Adventure travel
432:mineral deposits
218:
165:
153:
152:
147:
146:
144:
143:
142:
137:
133:
130:
129:
128:
125:
111:
104:
100:
97:
91:
89:
48:
24:
16:
1424:
1423:
1419:
1418:
1417:
1415:
1414:
1413:
1379:Rivers of Chile
1364:
1363:
1362:
1357:
1261:
1257:Salto del Indio
1240:
1134:
1125:
1095:
1085:
1083:
1080:Patagon Journal
1074:
1073:
1069:
1059:
1057:
1042:
1038:
1028:
1026:
1018:
1017:
1013:
1003:
1001:
988:
987:
983:
973:
971:
958:
957:
953:
943:
941:
938:Patagon Journal
932:
931:
927:
917:
915:
905:
901:
889:
887:
878:
877:
870:
868:
861:
857:
847:
845:
844:on 21 July 2009
836:
835:
831:
819:
817:
808:
807:
802:
798:
792:
788:
776:
774:
765:
764:
757:
755:
748:
744:
734:
732:
724:
723:
719:
709:
707:
704:Patagon Journal
698:
697:
693:
683:
681:
671:
667:
657:
655:
647:
646:
642:
632:
630:
621:
620:
616:
606:
604:
602:Rivers of Chile
596:
595:
591:
581:
579:
570:
569:
565:
555:
553:
544:
543:
539:
535:
488:
444:
442:Usage conflicts
399:
378:
351:
327:Palena Province
315:Andes Mountains
307:Chubut Province
299:
267:Futaleufú River
245:
222:Chubut Province
216:
194:
168:
151:
140:
138:
136:43.41°S 72.09°W
134:
131:
126:
123:
121:
119:
118:
112:
101:
95:
92:
49:
47:
37:
25:
12:
11:
5:
1422:
1412:
1411:
1406:
1401:
1396:
1391:
1386:
1381:
1376:
1359:
1358:
1356:
1355:
1350:
1345:
1340:
1335:
1330:
1325:
1320:
1315:
1310:
1305:
1300:
1295:
1290:
1285:
1280:
1275:
1269:
1267:
1263:
1262:
1260:
1259:
1254:
1248:
1246:
1242:
1241:
1239:
1238:
1233:
1228:
1223:
1218:
1213:
1208:
1203:
1198:
1193:
1188:
1183:
1178:
1173:
1168:
1163:
1158:
1153:
1148:
1142:
1140:
1136:
1135:
1124:
1123:
1116:
1109:
1101:
1094:
1093:
1067:
1056:on 8 July 2014
1036:
1011:
981:
951:
925:
899:
855:
829:
805:on 2014-04-16.
786:
742:
717:
691:
665:
640:
614:
589:
563:
552:. 29 June 2020
536:
534:
531:
487:
484:
448:precious metal
443:
440:
398:
395:
377:
374:
350:
347:
298:
295:
261:
260:
257:
253:
252:
246:
243:
240:
239:
236:
230:
229:
226:
225:
219:
213:
212:
209:
205:
204:
201:
200:
196:
195:
193:
192:
187:
181:
179:
175:
174:
170:
169:
166:
158:
157:
149:
141:-43.41; -72.09
114:
113:
28:
26:
19:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1421:
1410:
1409:Border rivers
1407:
1405:
1402:
1400:
1397:
1395:
1392:
1390:
1387:
1385:
1382:
1380:
1377:
1375:
1372:
1371:
1369:
1354:
1351:
1349:
1346:
1344:
1341:
1339:
1336:
1334:
1331:
1329:
1326:
1324:
1321:
1319:
1316:
1314:
1311:
1309:
1306:
1304:
1301:
1299:
1296:
1294:
1291:
1289:
1286:
1284:
1281:
1279:
1276:
1274:
1271:
1270:
1268:
1264:
1258:
1255:
1253:
1250:
1249:
1247:
1243:
1237:
1234:
1232:
1229:
1227:
1224:
1222:
1219:
1217:
1214:
1212:
1209:
1207:
1204:
1202:
1199:
1197:
1194:
1192:
1189:
1187:
1184:
1182:
1179:
1177:
1174:
1172:
1169:
1167:
1164:
1162:
1159:
1157:
1154:
1152:
1149:
1147:
1144:
1143:
1141:
1137:
1133:
1129:
1122:
1117:
1115:
1110:
1108:
1103:
1102:
1099:
1081:
1077:
1071:
1055:
1051:
1047:
1040:
1025:
1021:
1015:
999:
995:
991:
985:
969:
965:
961:
955:
939:
935:
929:
914:
910:
903:
895:
882:
866:
859:
843:
839:
833:
825:
812:
797:
790:
782:
769:
753:
746:
731:
727:
721:
705:
701:
695:
680:
676:
669:
654:
650:
644:
628:
624:
618:
603:
599:
593:
577:
573:
567:
551:
547:
541:
537:
530:
528:
524:
522:
518:
513:
508:
506:
502:
497:
492:
483:
479:
477:
473:
467:
465:
461:
457:
453:
449:
439:
437:
433:
427:
425:
421:
420:hydroelectric
417:
412:
409:
405:
390:
386:
384:
373:
369:
366:
364:
360:
356:
342:
338:
334:
332:
328:
324:
323:Pacific Ocean
320:
316:
312:
308:
304:
294:
292:
288:
284:
280:
276:
272:
268:
258:
254:
250:
247:
241:
237:
235:
231:
227:
223:
220:
214:
210:
206:
202:
197:
191:
188:
186:
183:
182:
180:
176:
171:
164:
159:
156:Rio Futaleufú
154:
148:
145:
110:
107:
99:
96:December 2009
88:
85:
81:
78:
74:
71:
67:
64:
60:
57: –
56:
52:
51:Find sources:
45:
41:
35:
34:
29:This article
27:
23:
18:
17:
1170:
1084:. Retrieved
1079:
1070:
1058:. Retrieved
1054:the original
1049:
1039:
1027:. Retrieved
1023:
1014:
1002:. Retrieved
998:the original
993:
984:
972:. Retrieved
968:the original
963:
954:
942:. Retrieved
937:
928:
916:. Retrieved
912:
902:
869:. Retrieved
858:
846:. Retrieved
842:the original
838:"HidroAysén"
832:
789:
756:. Retrieved
745:
733:. Retrieved
729:
720:
708:. Retrieved
703:
694:
682:. Retrieved
678:
668:
656:. Retrieved
652:
643:
631:. Retrieved
626:
617:
605:. Retrieved
601:
592:
580:. Retrieved
575:
566:
554:. Retrieved
549:
540:
526:
525:
509:
493:
489:
480:
468:
445:
428:
413:
400:
379:
370:
367:
355:glacial till
352:
335:
300:
266:
264:
117:
102:
93:
83:
76:
69:
62:
50:
38:Please help
33:verification
30:
1343:Tres Marias
1211:Pichi Damas
1128:Hydrography
1086:14 November
1060:14 November
1029:14 November
1004:14 November
974:14 November
944:14 November
918:14 November
848:14 November
794:Blanco, H.
710:14 November
684:14 November
658:14 November
466:companies.
363:fly fishing
319:Yelcho Lake
249:Yelcho Lake
224:, Argentina
139: /
1368:Categories
1333:Tepuhueico
1298:Llanquihue
1283:Constancia
1245:Waterfalls
1216:Pilmaiquén
1181:Llesquehue
1176:Huellelhue
890:|url=
871:4 November
820:|url=
777:|url=
758:4 November
735:4 November
521:HidroAysén
464:hydropower
456:ecotourism
349:Recreation
281:protected
66:newspapers
1384:Patagonia
1293:Huillinco
1273:Chaiguata
1171:Futaleufú
1156:Corcovado
424:watershed
408:reservoir
359:Futaleufú
297:Geography
271:Patagonia
185:Argentina
178:Countries
1328:Tarahuín
1252:Petrohué
1206:Petrohué
1050:Negocios
881:cite web
811:cite web
768:cite web
460:X Region
173:Location
1323:Rupanco
1318:Reñihue
1313:Puyehue
1231:Reñihué
1191:Maullín
1166:Gol-Gol
1151:Contaco
892:value (
822:value (
779:value (
291:Mapuche
251:, Chile
127:72°05′W
124:43°25′S
80:scholar
1353:Yelcho
1348:Yaldad
1308:Palena
1236:Yelcho
1201:Palena
1139:Rivers
888:Check
818:Check
775:Check
633:17 May
607:17 May
582:17 May
556:17 May
416:Endesa
376:Rapids
279:UNESCO
256:Length
238:
211:
208:Source
82:
75:
68:
61:
53:
1303:Natri
1288:Cucao
1278:Chapo
1266:Lakes
1226:Rahue
1221:Puelo
1196:Negro
1186:Llico
1161:Damas
1146:Bueno
803:(PDF)
799:(PDF)
533:Notes
329:, in
287:river
234:Mouth
190:Chile
87:JSTOR
73:books
1088:2014
1062:2014
1031:2014
1006:2014
976:2014
946:2014
920:2014
894:help
873:2014
850:2014
824:help
781:help
760:2014
737:2014
712:2014
686:2014
660:2014
635:2021
609:2021
584:2021
558:2021
454:and
397:Dams
265:The
59:news
1130:of
404:dam
305:in
42:by
1370::
1078:.
1048:.
1022:.
992:.
962:.
936:.
911:.
885::
883:}}
879:{{
815::
813:}}
809:{{
772::
770:}}
766:{{
728:.
702:.
677:.
651:.
625:.
600:.
574:.
548:.
507:.
365:.
1120:e
1113:t
1106:v
1090:.
1064:.
1033:.
1008:.
978:.
948:.
922:.
896:)
875:.
852:.
826:)
783:)
762:.
739:.
714:.
688:.
662:.
637:.
611:.
586:.
560:.
109:)
103:(
98:)
94:(
84:·
77:·
70:·
63:·
36:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
