Ariège (river)

Ariège
The Ariège near Ax-les-Thermes
Location
Countries	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	163 km (101 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 (French pronunciation: [aʁjɛʒ] ; Occitan: Arièja; Catalan: Arieja) is a river in southern France, a right tributary of the Garonne. From its source in the Pyrenees near El Pas de la Casa, the river flows north, forming part of the border with Andorra, and passing through the following towns in two departments:

• In Ariège: Ax-les-Thermes, Les Cabannes, Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Montgailhard, Foix, Varilhes, Pamiers, Saverdun.
• In Haute-Garonne: Cintegabelle, Auterive, Pinsaguel.

Its longest tributaries are the Hers-Vif and the Lèze. It flows into the Garonne in Portet-sur-Garonne, south of Toulouse. Taken literally, the Latin origin of the river's name, Aurigera, indicates it to be a source of gold.

External links

• History and real-time water heights of Ariege river, Garonne river, and other tributaries