Ariège (river)

Ariège
Ariège River near Ax-les-Thermes.
Country	France, Andorra
Basin
Main source	Pyrenees ± 2,400 m (7,900 ft)
River mouth	Garonne 43°31′2″N 1°24′36″E / 43.51722°N 1.41000°ECoordinates: 43°31′2″N 1°24′36″E / 43.51722°N 1.41000°E
Progression	Garonne→ Atlantic Ocean
Basin size	3,860 km^2 (1,490 sq mi)
Physical characteristics
Length	164 km (102 mi)
Discharge	Average rate: 65 m^3/s (2,300 cu ft/s)

The Ariège (Occitan: Arièja, Catalan: Arieja) is a 164 km long river in southern France, right tributary of the Garonne. Its source is in the Pyrenees, where it forms part of the border with Andorra. It flows north through the following départements and towns:

• Ariège (named after the river): Ax-les-Thermes, Les Cabannes, Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Montgaillard, Foix, Varilhes, Pamiers, Saverdun.
• Haute-Garonne: Cintegabelle, Auterive.

It flows into the Garonne in Portet-sur-Garonne, south of Toulouse. If the Latin origin of its name (Aurigera) is to be trusted, the Ariège is supposed to carry gold nuggets.

References

• http://www.geoportail.fr
• The Ariège at the Sandre database
• History and real-time water heights of Ariege river, Garonne river, and other tributaries