Río Grande (Bolivia)

For the Bolivian river in Nor Lípez Province, see Río Grande de Lipez. For the river in Bolivia and Argentina, see Río Grande de Tarija.

The Río Grande (or Río Guapay) in Bolivia rises on the southern slope of the Cochabamba mountains, east of the city Cochabamba, at 17°26′11″S 65°52′22″W. At its source, it is known as the Rocha River. It crosses the Cochabamba valley basin in a westerly direction, turning south east after 65 kilometres (40 mi) and after another 50 km (31 mi) joining the Arque River at 17°42′10″S 66°14′45″W and an elevation of 2,350 m (7,710 ft).

Grande River
Río Grande at Puerto Pailas
Map of the Amazon Basin showing Río Grande (highlighted)
Native name	Río Grande (Spanish)
Location
Country	Bolivia
Physical characteristics
Source	Sierra de Cochabamba
• elevation	3,693 m (12,116 ft)
Mouth	Mamoré River
• elevation	174 m (571 ft)
Length	820 km (510 mi)[1]

From this junction the river receives the name Caine River for 162 km (101 mi) and continues to flow in a south easterly direction, before it is called Río Grande. After a total of 500 km (310 mi) the river turns north east and in a wide curve flows round the lowland city of Santa Cruz.

After 1,438 km (894 mi), the Río Grande joins the Ichilo River at 15°48′09″S 64°43′47″W which is a tributary to the Mamoré.