It runs along the east side of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field and empties into the Pacific Ocean, near the town of Caleta Tortel.

The river forms a delta, dividing into two major arms, of which only the northernmost one is navigable.

It was the proposed site of a controversial major hydro-electric project, involving five dams, to be the biggest in the history of Chile.

The project was opposed by a protest campaign led by Chilean and international environmental activist groups.

[3] Chile's Committee of Ministers overturned the environmental permits for the HidroAysén dam project June 2014.