Futaleufú

Fatalities on the Fú are not uncommon. In 2003, a world-class British kayaker was killed by the Fú after his kayak capsized. Guides operating commercial expeditions are usually experienced paddlers, familiar with each section of the river and the conditions which it can (or cannot) be paddled. The most dangerous rapids on the river are named Zeta, Throne Room and Terminator (all Class V-plus rapids). Learn more about paddling Río Futaleufú.

The source of Río Futaleufú is the Amutui Quimey reservoir — a man-made lake within Parque Nacional Los Alerces (in Argentina).  The reservoir was formed in 1978 by the creation of the Futaleufú Hydroelectric Complex, a dam that flooded and combined three natural glacial lakes. Hydroelectric power harnessed by the dam is sent to Puerto Madryn (~700 kilometers away). Once clear of the dam, the Fú is free-flowing through Chile to the Pacific. Money-hungry, profit-maximizing multinational corporations want to construct a massive hydroelectric project on the Chilean side of the Futaleufú watershed. If successful, this will disrupt the river’s free flow and cover many of the river's rapids with a series of reservoirs, surely destroying the river's rugged beauty and much of the sustainable tourism that thrives here.  The 2013 short-documentary Fighting for the Futaleufú highlights the effects that hydroelectric dams would have on the Fú.

Fighting For The Futaleufú from stephanie haig on Vimeo.

Every February, expert kayakers, rafters and river-lovers flock to Futaleufú for Futa Fest, an annual multi-day festival that brings awareness to this natural Patagonian wonder. During the day, paddlers showcase style, speed and finesse; evenings are filled with live music & food. Futaleufú's restaurants serve fresh, locally-caught fish year-round. Río Espolon, the largest tributary of the Fú, boasts abundant rainbow and brown trout. The local cuisine is devoured by hungry tourists visiting the small town to get on the river and take in the magnificent scenery.

In 2008, Futaleufú was covered in ash after the eruption of Chaitén, a nearby volcano. Approximately 30 centimeters of ash fell upon the village, which sits ~50 km downwind (southeast) of the volcano.