| Limay River | |
|---|---|
 Limay River within the Enchanted Valley section in theRío Negro province | |
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| Location | |
| Country | Argentina |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Nahuel Huapi Lake |
| • elevation | 770 m (2,530 ft)AMSL |
| Mouth | |
• location | intoRío Negro |
• coordinates | 38°59′35″S68°00′18″W / 38.993°S 68.005°W /-38.993; -68.005 |
| Length | 380 km (240 mi) |
| Basin size | 61,723 km2 (23,831 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 700 m3/s (25,000 cu ft/s) |
TheLimay River is an importantriver in the northwesternArgentinePatagonia (the region ofComahue). It originates at the eastern end of theNahuel Huapi Lake and flows in ameandering path for about 380 kilometres (240 mi), collecting the waters of severaltributaries, such as theTraful River, the Pichileufú and the Collón Curá. It then meets theNeuquén River and together they become theRío Negro. At this confluence lies the city ofNeuquén.
The river serves as natural border between theprovinces ofRío Negro andNeuquén. Its deep waters are clear, and carry a large flow, 700 cubic metres per second (25,000 cu ft/s) on average. Itsdrainage basin has an area of 61,723 square kilometres (23,831 sq mi) and includes almost all the rivers and streams of theAtlantic basin in the region, as well as an extensive network of lakes.
The waters of the Limay are used to generatehydroelectricity at the fivedams built on its course:Alicurá,Piedra del Águila,Pichi Picún Leufú,El Chocón, andArroyito; together with theCerros Colorados Complex on the Neuquén River they constitute more than one quarter of Argentina's total hydroelectric power generation. The construction of the successive dams and reservoirs has reduced the length of the river, which originally measured about 450 kilometres (280 mi). In the 1980s the onlyheavy water plant inSouth America was constructed next to the river at the town ofArroyito.
The river is also used forfly fishing; in some locations its banks are suitable as beachresorts, with facilities forcamping.
It is the most popular river in Nahuel Huapi National Park for fly fishing. It originates in the East side of Nahuel Huapi lake. Lost in a typical steppe landscape with gin clear waters, big and deep pools, fast and strong currents and enormous fish, of course. Plentifulrainbow trout andbrown trout, from 6 to 28 inches (and larger), live in the river.[1]
Variousislands in thefloodplains of the lower course of the river have been urbanized.[2]
The origin of the word comes from the Mapuche indians and it means, crystalline, that you could see to the bottom.
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