Río Sonsonate, El Salvador (click here for the El Salvador table of rivers)

river photo

Class: IV- ; Flow: 150-250 cfs; Ave. Gradient: 8 m/km; Portages: yes; Length: 16 km; Time: 2.5 hours

Season: June to October ; rafts? no; Highlights: trench to sea; Crux move: catching the water

PI: Santa Emilia (132 m); TO: Acajutla (5 m)

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

The Río Sonsonate is one of the larger creeks to drain the ocean side of the El Salvador's volcanic range. Unfortunately, the drainage also includes one of the larger towns in the region, also called Sonsonate. Despite the resulting trash and pollution, I still found the river mostly enjoyable and pretty, and with many nice herons to scare.

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

Descent History: I ran this in September 2013, with 150 cfs.

Flow Notes: The Río Grande de Sonsonate is usually not very Grande (partly due to being heavily diverted for irrigation). You need multiple days of heavy rain to have a chance. I have never seen more than 150-200 cfs in there.