Río Yamabal and Río Guayabal, El Salvador (click here for the El Salvador table of rivers)

river photo

Class: III ; Flow: 100-500 cfs; Average Gradient: 8 m/km & 1.4 m/km; Portages: wood?; Length: 17.5 + 23.5 km; Time: up to 5 hours

Season: June to October ; rafts? no; Highlights: nice class III- in first hour; Crux move: avoiding wood strainers

Put-In: Sensembra (272 m); Take-Out: San Antonio Chávez (127 m) or Ruta Militar (95 m)

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

The Cacahuatique Mountain Range is the headwaters of the Río San Miguel, and its central basin drains to the river's largest tributary, the Río Yamabal. While still small, it provides the best creeking opportunity in the immediate area. The Río Yamabal earns its class III rating with its continuous III- rapids along with the threat of downed trees in the current.

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

Descent History: I ran this in July 2010 together with Rocky Contos, with 150 cfs at the PI and 1,200 cfs at San Miguel.