Elqui River

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Elqui River
The Río Elqui in the Valle del Elqui

The Río Elqui in the Valle del Elqui

Data
location Región IV ( Chile )
River system Elqui River
origin Confluence of the Río Claro and Río Turbio
Source height 815  m
muzzle at La Serena in the Pacific Ocean Coordinates: 29 ° 53 ′ 40 ″  S , 71 ° 16 ′ 30 ″  W 29 ° 53 ′ 40 ″  S , 71 ° 16 ′ 30 ″  W
Mouth height 0  m
Height difference 815 m
Bottom slope 11 ‰
length 75 km
Catchment area 9800 km²
Reservoirs flowed through Puclaro dam
Big cities La Serena
Medium-sized cities Vicuña

Río Elqui is a river in northern Chile in the Región de Coquimbo .

The Río Elqui is formed in the northeast of the Coquimbo region by the confluence of the Río Claro and Río Turbio near the town of Rivadavia .

It flows through the middle of a very dry, desert-like landscape. Only its banks are fertile and are used intensively for agriculture, especially for wine-growing . The Valle del Elqui is one of the largest Chilean wine-growing regions. The famous Pisco , the basis of the Chilean national drink Pisco Sour , also comes from here . In addition to wine, many types of fruit are also grown.

In 1999, the Puclaro dam was opened to ensure a constant water supply for the agricultural areas.

The river flows into the Pacific Ocean near the city of La Serena .

Flow data

  • Length: 75 km
  • Area: 9700 km²

Individual evidence