The Futaleufú River, located in northern Patagonia, is one of the premier whitewater rivers in the world. One of only two rivers to cross the 5,308 kilometer Chile-Argentina border, the Futaleufú headwaters can be found in the glacial snow melt of the UNESCO protected Los Alerces National Park in Argentina. The river gorge drops as low as below the surrounding glaciated peaks. The name Futaleufú is an indigenous Mapuche word meaning "Big River.” Locals refer to the valley as "un paisaje pintado por Dios"—a landscape painted by God. Geography The Futaleufú River is fed by a chain of lakes in the Los Alerces National Park in Chubut Province, Argentina. The name, Futaleufú, is given to the river below the Futaleufú Dam and Amutui Quimey Reservoir. The watershed drains the Southern Andes Mountains from Argentina into Chile and drains into Yelcho Lake. From this point the river is renamed Rio Yelcho and continues to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. From its source in Argentina, the river flows to the Chilean border and enters the Palena Province, in Los Lagos (X) Region. Whitewater enthusiasts generally paddle the Chilean side of the river. 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 magnificent gorge on the Espolon called "The Devil's Throat," which is better viewed than paddled. The Futaleufú watershed also includes several lakes including Lago Espolon, Lago Lonconao, and Lago Pinilla. Recreation The Futaleufú (The 'Fu' or ‘Futa’ for short) is known world over for its turquoise waters, a phenomenon produced by glacier till. Although the official whitewater season on the Futaleufú runs from December to April, when temperatures are warmest and water levels typically range between , it is increasingly common to see world class paddlers braving the Fu in drysuits all year round. Specialized media consider the river to be one of the top three whitewater destinations in the world. Several international whitewater events have been staged on the river. Every summer, the town of Futaleufú stages an annual river festival called "Futafest" attended by river enthusiasts from around the world. The Futaleufú and its tributary streams and lakes are equally well known for fly fishing. The Futaleufú was first kayaked in January 1985 by Mark Allen,