a river in southeastern Brazil, a left headstream of the Paraná River. The Grande is 1,230 km long and drains an area of 170,000 sq km. Originating near the Atlantic in the Serra da Mantiqueira, it flows over the Brazilian Highlands, forming several waterfalls. The Grande is fed by rain, and its water level is high from January through March. The mean flow rate is 2,000 cu m per sec. The large Furnas reservoir, with a volume of 20.2 cu km, and a hydroelectric power plant, with a power capacity of 1.2 gigawatts, are located in the upper course. The Grande is navigable in places. [22–399-–2]