river in northwestern Mexico, formed in Chihuahua state by the junction of the Verde and Urique rivers, and descending generally southwestward through Sinaloa state from the Sierra Madre Occidental to the Gulf of California, 27 miles (43 km) west of Los Mochis at Lechuguilla Island. Waters of the river, controlled in part by the Hidalgo Dam, are used for extensive irrigation projects on the gulf lowlands around Los Mochis. The Fuerte is approximately 180 miles (290 km) long (350 miles 【560 km】 including the Verde River).