Río Viejo, Nicaragua (click here for the Nicaragua table of rivers)

river photo

Class: III+ ; Flow: 400-800 cfs; Average Gradient: 5 m/km; Portages: no; Length: up to 20 km; Time: 3 hours

Season: June to October ; rafts? high water; Highlights: dam releases; Crux move: syncing with the dam release

Put-In: Larreynaga (PHL) powerhouse (595 m); Take-Out: San Andrés Tamarindo (500 m)

Description: (click here for general notes about my descriptions)

The Río Viejo run would never run without the Apanás reservoir. This reservoir holds water from the Caribbean-side Río Tuma drainage and diverts it to the Pacific-side Río Viejo drainage (which is very unfortunate for the Río Tuma). The flows here are not impressive but regular enough for kayaking in the rainy season and even enough, rarely, for rafting.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater El Salvador, Honduras, & Nicaragua guidebook.

Descent History: Daniel Shaneyfelt likely ran this section in 2008.