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
Samalá River is located in Guatemala
Samalá River
Location of mouth
Location
CountryGuatemala
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationSierra Madre in the Valle De Écija, San Carlos Sija
 • coordinates15°02′05″N 91°34′22″W / 15.034759°N 91.572847°W / 15.034759; -91.572847 (Source of the Samalá River)
 • elevation3,200 m (10,500 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Pacific Ocean
 • coordinates
14°11′31″N 91°47′08″W / 14.191934°N 91.785450°W / 14.191934; -91.785450 (Mouth of the Samalá River)
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length145 km (90 mi)
Discharge 
 • average8.7 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 km² (580 sq ml) and has a population of around 0.4 million 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]

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References

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  1. ^ INSIVUMEH. "Mapa de Cuencas y Ríos".
  2. ^ INSIVUMEH. "Principales ríos de Guatemala".
  3. ^ Francisco de la Caridad Viera Cepero (2003). "Geomorphology and natural hazards of the Samala river basin, Guatemala" (PDF).