Paranapanema River, Major river between São Paulo and Paraná states, Brazil.
The Paranapanema is a river that flows about 930 kilometers from Serra dos Agudos to the Paraná River, passing through numerous rapids and waterfalls along the way. Eight hydroelectric dams harness its flow to provide power to millions of people across southeastern Brazil.
Indigenous peoples settled along its banks for centuries and used its waters for trade and survival before Portuguese colonization arrived. European settlement transformed the river fundamentally, and later the construction of dams permanently altered its appearance and flow.
The name comes from indigenous languages and ties the river to the communities who lived here for centuries. Today people use its banks for fishing and to maintain ways of life passed down through generations.
The water in upper sections remains cleaner and less polluted than other rivers in the region, making it worth visiting. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and watch for slippery banks, especially near the waterfalls and rapids.
The river maintains remarkably clean water compared to other rivers in São Paulo, thanks to protected headwaters in Nascentes do Paranapanema State Park. This cleanliness makes it a rare example of a less stressed waterway in this densely populated region.
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