Vaupés River (
Uaupés River) is a
tributary of the
Rio Negro in
South America. It arises in the
Guaviare Department of
Colombia, flowing east through Guaviare and
Vaupés Departments. It forms part of the international border between Colombia and the
Amazonas state of
Brazil. On the border it merges with the
Papurí River and becomes known as the Uaupés. In 1847 an explorer saw a rapid which hurled its waves in the air, "as if great subaqueous explosions were taking place." The river continues on east until it flows into the Rio Negro at São Joaquim, Amazonas. Vaupés is a
blackwater river.