Biobio River

The Biobio River is the second largest river in Chile. It originates from Icalma and Galletue lakes in the Andes and flows 380 km to the Gulf of Arauco on the Pacific Ocean. The major tributaries of the river are the Malleco and the Laja. The river is Chile's second-longest river (the longest being Loa River) and Biobio basin is Chile's third largest watershed, after Loa and Baker basins. 

The river is also the widest river in Chile, with an average width of 1 km. In the Metropolitan area of Concepción, the river is crossed by four bridges: Biobío Railroad Bridge (1889), Biobío Bridge (1942), Juan Pablo II Bridge (1973) and Llacolén Bridge (2000).The Biobio river originates at the west shore of Galletue Lake. The river flows east for a few kilometers to the point where it receives the waters of the near Icalma Lake, through a short stream. Then, it turns its course northwestward, meandering through Andean valleys and receiving the discharges from some minor tributaries, as are the Lonquimay and the Rahue.