Samalá River

The Samalá is a river in southwestern Guatemala. Its sources are in the Sierra Madre, Valle De Écija range, in the departments of Quetzaltenango and Totonicapán. From there it flows down, past the towns San Carlos Sija in the Valle De Écija, Quetzaltenango, San Cristóbal Totonicapán, Quetzaltenango, El Palmar and Zunil, through the coastal plains of Retalhuleu into the Pacific Ocean.[1]

Samalá River
The Samalá River at Zunil
Location
Country	Guatemala
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Sierra Madre in the Valle De Écija, San Carlos Sija
• coordinates	15.034759°N 91.572847°W / 15.034759; -91.572847 (Source of the Samalá River)
• elevation	3,200 m (10,500 ft)
Mouth
• location	Pacific Ocean
• coordinates	14.191934°N 91.785450°W / 14.191934; -91.785450 (Mouth of the Samalá River)
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	145 km (90 mi)
Discharge
• average	8.7 m3/s (310 cu ft/s) (Candelaria)

The Samalá River on the outskirts of Quetzaltenango city

The Samalá river basin covers a territory of 1,510 square kilometres (580 sq mi) and has a population of around 400,000 people.[2] Its proximity to the active Santa Maria and Santiaguito volcano complex, with its recurring lava and lahars flows, leads to a heightened risk of serious flooding.[3]