river in the län (county) of Norrbotten, northern Sweden. It flows southeast from the Norwegian border for 280 miles (450 km) to the Gulf of Bothnia at Luleå. Between the river's two main headstreams, the Stora (Big) Lule and the Lilla (Little) Lule, is Mount Sarek National Park, rising to 6,854 feet (2,089 metres) at Mount Sarek. The headstreams have numerous lakes, some of which are dammed for hydroelectricity. Along the main river's course are several high falls, including Stora Falls and those at Porjus and Harsprånget. It has a drainage area of 9,747 square miles (25,245 square km).