Nizao River


Nizao is one of the most important rivers in the Dominican Republic. Three hydroelectric power/electrical plants have been built along its path, the largest at Jiguey Dam. It is dried because of decade of aggregate extraction. Luis Carvajal, a top Dominican ecologist, estimated a cost of RD$350M per km to recover the river.

History

On 14 April 1655 Robert Venables landed with a contingent of the English New Model Army at the mouth of the Nizao River in preparation for a land attack on Santo Domingo. Vice-Admiral William Goodsonn was also landed with an auxiliary "sea regiment", composed of sailors. Their superior discipline enabled them to save the other soldiers from catastrophe during two Spanish ambushes. After two attempted assaults, the siege was abandoned.