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

river photo

Class: III ; Flow: 350-2,000 cfs; Average Gradient: 2 m/km; Portages: no; Length: 13 km; Time: 1-1.5 hours

Season: June to October ; rafts? yes; Highlights: creeking warm-down; Crux move: not missing the TO

Put-In: confl. Río Waslala (200 m); Take-Out: Yaosca Abajo (170 m)

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

The Río Yaosca is slightly larger than its tributaries in the Waslala area, the Río Babaska and Río Waslala, but so far, I have not gotten on the upper parts. These upper parts, above and below the highway, would be a good option for exploring when the water is up. The Lower part provides the runout for the tributaries and is a short option in itself, especially when the water is too low on the tributaries. However, I have not driven the road down to the PI at the confluence of the Río Waslala, and it may require some hiking.

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

Descent History: Nils Saubès and I ran this in October 2021, with 1,800 cfs.