High Tide Causes Flooding at Playa Salinas Grandes

Overview: 

A high ocean tide has led to flooding at our project site in Playa Salinas Grandes, in the Department of León, Nicaragua. Other nearby coastal communities have also been impacted and have stepped up protective measures against the high-water levels. Ironically, this all has occurred at a time when the ‘El Niño 2026’ phenomenon has caused significant rainfall deficits and severe drought conditions throughout Nicaragua. 

What Happened? 

In late August (2026), project staff observed the sea progressively advance towards typically dry coastal land areas. Then, in the early hours of August 29, the tide reached the project cabin area. Faced with the risk of the entire structure being swept out to sea, a decision was made to dismantle the cabin to salvage wood and other reusable materials, and to prevent these items from being washed into the sea and becoming waste. Sadly, due to the high tides, the home of a project team member (i.e., Doña Antonia Duarte – Nursery Supervisor) was also destroyed. Finally, on August 30, the waters came close to the areas where the sea turtle nursery and infrastructure used for the project’s Environmental Education Program were located. Despite concerns regarding the handling of sea turtle eggs and nests, project staff proceeded to relocate the nests to an area further inland, in a temporary location provided by officials from Nicaragua’s Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA). This intervention was carried out as an emergency measure aimed at maximizing the chances of sea turtle egg survival and hatching, against the risk of flooding and complete nest loss. 

On September 1—after MARENA had given permission to use a newly assigned space—project staff cleared and prepared the site to begin construction of the new nursery structure that will safeguard the eggs from predation by land animals and continue to promote sea turtle conservation at Playa Salinas Grandes. Work on the new nursery and relocation of the sea turtle eggs was completed on September 3, and it involved the whole Salinas Grandes project team—with the help of many local volunteers. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that, although this incident has been very challenging for many in the region, the response from locals, project staff, and volunteers has been very encouraging! This project embodies the type of grassroots community leadership and commitment to conservation that Biome is very proud to support. “Muchísimas gracias a todos nuestros colegas del proyecto Playa Salinas Grandes!” 

Quotes: 

“I believe this situation serves as a major wake-up call and makes us reflect on the consequences we are experiencing—they are real! Everything we once discussed in our environmental talks is happening. That is why it is important to keep raising awareness, and there is no better way to do that than with children.” 

– Margarita Zeledón (Environmental Education Coordinator). 

“It is the first time I have seen anything like this; I have lived near the coast for over 50 years, and it seems so unreal how the sea has been encroaching on the land. I feel a bit sad watching it gradually wash everything away.” 

– Antonia Duarte (Nursery Supervisor).

How to support recovery:

We are accepting donations to support recovery efforts for this project.