Samalá River

Samalá River
The Samalá River at Zunil
Country	Guatemala
Basin features
Main source	Sierra Madre 3,200 m (10,500 ft) 15°02′05″N 91°34′22″W / 15.034759°N 91.572847°W / 15.034759; -91.572847 (Source of the Samalá River)
River mouth	Pacific Ocean 0 m (0 ft) 14°11′31″N 91°47′08″W / 14.191934°N 91.785450°W / 14.191934; -91.785450 (Mouth of the Samalá River)Coordinates: 14°11′31″N 91°47′08″W / 14.191934°N 91.785450°W / 14.191934; -91.785450 (Mouth of the Samalá River)
Physical characteristics
Length	145 km (90 mi)
Discharge	Average rate: 8.7 m3/s (310 cu ft/s) (Candelaria)

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

The Samalá river basin covers a territory of 1,510 square kilometres (580 sq mi) and has a population of around 400,000 people. 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.