Hidrology
There are 5 river systems in the region, the two
which are most important for our programs are the Aysen system which
includes the following rivers, all of which drain into the sea at Puerto
Aysen: Blanco, Mañihuales, Simpson, Coyhaique, Claro, Huemules.
The Baker system, with an impressive flow rate of 1500 cubic meters
per second drains an area of 26487 km2 of which 1048 km2 is Lago General
Carrera. Part of this lake is in Argentina.
Afluents of the Baker include: Ibañez, Manso, Neff, Murta, Leones, Cañal,
Soler, Vargas, Colonia, Ñadis and Ventisqueros.
Many of the rivers within these systems are under threat.
The Baker in particular has been under scrutiny as a source of a huge
amount of energy for hydrolectric plants. It seems to be only a matter
of time before some of these projects come to fruition which will be
a huge loss of unique natural resources. We are actively opposed to the
building of dams which destroy huge areas of natural habitat.
Interestingly, close to Coyhaique a difference in level between two lakes – Atravesado
and Elizalde and an existing water course have been used to create a
substantial hydro generating plant which has not required any major destruction
of habitat. Also close to Coyhaique and providing 19% of the towns power
is Chile`s first wind farm. In short there are alternatives to power
generation which do not require the kind of massive investment and destruction
resulting from damming rivers like the Baker or Pascua. |
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