Vindel River

The Vindel River (Swedish: Vindelälven) is a river in northern Sweden. It is a tributary to Ume River and the biggest tributary river in Sweden. It lends its name to the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Europe, totaling 562,772 ha (approx. 5,628 km2). Since it is partially located within the reserve, it is permanently protected from hydroelectric development. Downstream from Vännäsby, where Vindelälven merges with Umeälven, Sweden's largest hydropower plant is located.

Vindel River
Renforsen rapid in the Vindel River
Native name	Vindelälven (Swedish)
Location
Country	Sweden
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Ume River
• coordinates	63°55′00″N 19°51′30″E
Length	445 km (277 mi)[1]
Basin size	12,650 km2 (4,880 sq mi)[1]
Discharge
• average	190 m3/s (6,700 cu ft/s)[1]
Basin features
Designation
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Vindelälven
Designated	19 March 2013
Reference no.	2181[2]

The source of the river is in the mountains close to the border with Norway. The Vindel flows generally to the southeast. Sorsele and Vindeln are the two biggest localities on the banks of the Vindel.