Chacao Channel

The Chacao Channel (Spanish: Canal de Chacao) is located in Los Lagos Region, Chile and separates Chiloé Island from mainland Chile.

[1] The channel was created during the Quaternary glaciations by successive glaciers that flowed down from the Andes to the coast.

[citation needed] The construction of a bridge connecting the island with the continent was discussed at government level for some time, but during the first government of Michelle Bachelet (2006–2010) it was turned down due to its high cost in comparison with other proposals that could be done to benefit islanders.

A single-circuit 220 kV-powerline with a span-length of 2682 metres crosses the Chacao Channel, built in 1995.

[2] The horizontal speed of tides in the channel has been measured to reach a maximum between 4 and 5 m/s during flood and 3 to 4 m/s during ebb.