Paranapanema

a river in southeastern Brazil, a left tributary of the Paraná. It is about 800 km long and drains an area of 99,600 sq km. The Paranapanema rises on the northern slope of the Serra Paranapiacaba. It cuts across the southern part of the Brazilian Highlands and flows in a westerly direction, mainly through a deep valley. There are numerous rapids. Freshets occur in the summer. The mean flow rate at Balsa do Parapanam is 915 cu m per sec. There are hydroelectric power plants at Chavantes with a 400-megawatt capacity and at Capivara with a 640-megawatt capacity. The river is navigable to a point 80 km from its mouth. The city of Pirajú is on the Paranapanema.