Verdon (river)

Verdon
Verdon Gorge and Lake of Sainte-Croix. At the end of the canyon, the Verdon flows into the artificial Lake of Sainte-Croix.
Location
Country	France
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
• elevation	2,819 m (9,249 ft)
Mouth
• location	Durance
• coordinates	43°43′6″N 5°44′54″E
Length	166.5 km (103.5 mi)
Basin size	2,295 km^2 (886 sq mi)
Basin features
Progression	Durance→ Rhône→ Mediterranean Sea
Tributaries
• left	Artuby

The Verdon (French pronunciation: [vɛʁdɔ̃], Occitan: [ˈbeɾðu]) is a 166.5-kilometre-long (103.5 mi) river in Southeastern France, left tributary of the Durance.^[1] Its drainage basin is 2,295 km² (886 sq mi).^[2] The Verdon is best known for its impressive canyon: the Verdon Gorge. This limestone canyon, also called the "Grand Canyon of Verdon", 20 kilometres (12 mi) long and more than 300 metres (980 ft) deep, is a popular climbing and sight-seeing area. The name comes from the green appearance of the waters of the river, in the canyon.

Course

The river flow along D952 road.

Its source is at an elevation of 2,819 metres (9,249 ft), in the southwestern part of the French Alps (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), between the Col d'Allos and the Trois Évêchés mountain, south of Barcelonnette. It flows southwest through the following departments and towns:

• Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Allos, Colmars, Saint-André-les-Alpes, Castellane
• Var: Vinon-sur-Verdon

The Verdon flows through several artificial lakes, before flowing into the river Durance near Vinon-sur-Verdon, south of Manosque.

Its main tributaries are the Artuby, Colostre, Jabron and Issole.^[1]

See also

• Lake of Sainte-Croix

References

1. Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - Le Verdon (X2--0200)".
2. Bassin versant : Verdon (Le), Observatoire Régional Eau et Milieux Aquatiques en PACA