Putumayo

Putumayo River, also known as the Içá River, is a tributary of the Amazon River that flows west of and parallel to the Japurá River. The Putumayo River runs across Colombia, forming part of the country's border with Ecuador as well as the majority of its border with Peru. In the previous three countries, it is known as the Putumayo; however, when it enters Brazil, it is known as the Içá. The Putumayo is a Colombian river that originates in the Andes Mountains east of Pasto. It flows into the Solimes near the Brazilian municipality of Santo Antônio do Icá. The Guamués River, as well as the San Miguel, Güepp, Cumpuya, Algodón, Igara-Paraná, Yaguas, Cotuhé, and Paraná de Jacurapá rivers, are major tributaries. The river runs through the ecoregion of Solimes-Japurá damp woods.

The river is now a significant transportation corridor. Boats navigate almost the whole length of the river. Cattle farming, like the rubber trade, is an important activity along the Icá's banks. Rubber and balatá are supplied from the Içá region to Manaus, Brazil.

In November 2019, Field Museum scientists collaborated with Colombian and Peruvian colleagues to conduct a three-week "rapid inventory" of over 7 million acres surrounding the Putumayo, one of the few Amazonian rivers that have remained undamaged, cataloging 1706 species. The purpose of these quick assessments of distant places is to bring together local stakeholders in order to maintain wilderness in a cooperative manner.

Total Length: 1,000 miles (shared with Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador)