Ariège (river)

Ariège
Ariège River near Ax-les-Thermes.
Location
Country	France, Andorra
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Pyrenees
• elevation	± 2,400 m (7,900 ft)
Mouth
• location	Garonne
• coordinates	43°31′2″N 1°24′36″E
Length	164 km (102 mi)
Basin size	3,860 km2 (1,490 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	65 m3/s (2,300 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression	Garonne→ Gironde estuary→ Atlantic Ocean

The Ariège (Occitan: Arièja, Catalan: Arieja) is a 164 km long river in southern France, right tributary of the Garonne. Its source is in the Pyrenees, where it forms part of the border with Andorra. It flows north through the following départements and towns:

• Ariège (named after the river): Ax-les-Thermes, Les Cabannes, Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Montgaillard, Foix, Varilhes, Pamiers, Saverdun.
• Haute-Garonne: Cintegabelle, Auterive.

It flows into the Garonne in Portet-sur-Garonne, south of Toulouse. If the Latin origin of its name (Aurigera) is to be trusted, the Ariège is supposed to carry gold nuggets.

References

• http://www.geoportail.fr
• The Ariège at the Sandre database
• History and real-time water heights of Ariege river, Garonne river, and other tributaries