Rivers that flow into the Gulf of Fonseca:

In the Gulf of Fonseca lead the Black River and the river Estero Real, which are the longest and important aspect of the Pacific. The Black River is born and ends in Honduran territory, at the confluence of streams Cacamuya and Iguazalá, 4 km from the border with Nicaragua. The biggest haul of track is in the Nicaraguan territory with a length of approximately 73 km. The river Estero Real born at the confluence of the rivers and Olomega Tecomapa, between the municipalities of Villa Nueva and Chinandega, has a length of 137 km.

Rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean:

They are characterized by being short-haul rivers and low flow, as are the Atoya (40 km long), Ameya, Cosmapa, Posoltega, Telica, Chiquito, El Tamarindo and Large (Carazo), Brito , among others. Some of these rivers have been represados for small hydro use and / or irrigation.

Rivers that flow into Lake Xolotlan or Managua:

Desembocan on the northern shore of Lake, rivers: Sinecapa, Pacora, San Antonio and Old. This river is born between the departments of Jinotega and Esteli, 157 kilometers in length, crossing the plain of Sébaco and will be in a canyon where the dam Hydroelectric Santa Barbara. Free passes through San Francisco to lead Lake Xolotlan or Managua. In the southern shore not no river flows, because the volcanic soil is very porous and promotes the infiltration of precipitation.

Rivers that flow into Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca:

Among the most important is the Ochomogo born in the Cerro La Pitilla with a length of 25 kilometres, the Malacatoya born in the Cerro Alegre with a length of 122 kilometers, Tecolostote which is formed by the confluence of the rivers Quisaltepe Tolinapa and with a length of 55 kilometers; Mayales that forms the confluence of the rivers Cuapa Pirre and with a length of 80 kilometres, and Oyate born in the hill Las Marias with a length of 70 kilometers. All these rivers receiving waters of many small tributaries.

Rivers that flow into the Caribbean Sea:

The San Juan, which serves as a drain to Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca, with a length of 180 km, the Indian born in the mountains of New Guinea with a length of 70 kilometers, which is part of the Biological Reserve Indian corn; Corn, which begins in the mountains of New Guinea and is one of the rivers most isolated and inaccessible to the country, and the Punta Gorda born in Serranías of Yolaina, with a length of 115 kilometers.

The Escondido with a length of 88 kilometres, formed by the confluence of the rivers almost simultaneous Sikia, Mico and Rama, is navigable from Ciudad Rama to its mouth in the bay of Bluefields. The Grande de Matagalpa born in North Mill with a length of 465 kilometers. It is the second longest river in Nicaragua and has tributary of the Tuma with a length of 180 kilometers. The Wawashan and Kurinwas rivers are tributaries of the extensive Pearl Lagoon and its course is jungle with little flooding. The Prinzapolka born in the Cordillera Isabelia mainstream and has a length of 245 kilometers, of which half are navigable by small boats. The Kukalaya born on the hill Gacho, with a length of 140 kilometers, which flows into the lagoon of Wouhnta; Wawa born in the plains of Puerto Cabezas with a length of 160 kilometers, which flows into Lake Karatá and its main tributary river Likus.

El Coco, or Segovia Wanki the longest in Central America, with a length of 680 kilometers, was born at the confluence of the river Comalí Honduran and Nicaraguan Tapacalí near the border crossing El Espino. Downstream Coco is navigable by boat shortly draught, receives as the main tributaries Bocay, with a length of 115 kilometers and Waspuk with a length 115 kilometers. El Coco empties into the Caribbean Sea in a small delta in Cape Gracias a Dios.

A special mention goes to the San Juan, which serves as a drain to Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca and empties into the Caribbean Sea. It is the most important in the political, social and economic Nicaragua because of its geopolitical location. Lake Cocibolca or Nicaragua and the San Juan River are natural ways waterfowl that facilitate transit between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, making this route in a shaft geopolitical conducive to the construction of an interoceanic canal and the narrow strip of land propitious Also the construction of a dry canal.

lakes and lagoons

In the Pacific region are the largest bodies of water in the country such as:

A) Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca with 8000 km ² surface (average is 31.1 meters) and a maximum depth of 40 mt (hydrographic survey of 1972). This lake is the tenth largest surface globally and the second-largest lakes of fresh water in Latin America.

B) Lake Xolotlan with Managua or 1025 km 2 surface (average level of 38.7 meters) and a maximum depth of 24 mt (hydrographic survey of 1979), located near the capital city; Both lakes are a natural reserve sources Water for economic exploitation by its strategic potential.

C) The gaps Support Masaya, Tiscapa, Nejapa, Asososca, Xiloá, among the most important.

In the North Central highlights Lake Apanás in the Department of Jinotega with 45.9 square kilometers and the gap with Moyúa 5.70 sq. km. In the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) highlights the gap Pearl with 532.41km ² according to the map of watersheds and in the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) highlights the gap Bismuna with 174 sq. km.