The drought affecting Chihuahua has already impacted Basaseachi Falls, considered one of the largest and most important tourist attractions in the region.
According to Mario Mata Carrasco, head of the Junta Central de Agua y Saneamiento (JCAS), Chihuahua is currently in a state of emergency due to the prolonged dry spell. The images circulating on social media showing the completely dry waterfall located in the municipality of Ocampo are indeed real, representing just a part of the current situation in the region.
While it’s true that the waterfall’s flow diminishes each year, 2024 marks the first time that the entire Sierra Tarahumara is experiencing an exceptional level of drought, surpassing the severity of previous years. This situation is a cause for concern and requires urgent attention.
Local residents have noted that the waterfall has been dry for approximately two years, coinciding with the onset of the drought in the state. The water that feeds Basaseachi Falls comes from the river of the same name, located in the municipality of Ocampo. However, since all the rivers in the region, including those in the Sierra Tarahumara (such as the Conchos River), have dried up, no water has reached the falls.
Mata Carrasco emphasizes that this situation is unprecedented for Basaseachi Falls and may be linked to the effects of climate change and widespread drought, not only in Chihuahua but throughout the country.
Furthermore, he points out that extreme and exceptional drought conditions are not limited to a single municipality or area within the state; they affect the entire region. Despite some rainfall and soil moisture in 2022 and 2023, the cumulative impact of prolonged drought remains a significant concern. The effects of drought persist even after rain due to slow soil rehydration. Efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change are crucial.
Basaseachi Falls, part of the Cascada de Basaseachi National Park, boasts an impressive height of approximately 246 meters in free fall, making it one of Mexico’s tallest waterfalls. It is situated about three kilometers from the town of Basaseachi in the municipality of Ocampo. The falls are fed by the combined flow of two streams: the Durazno and the Basaseachi.
As the region grapples with water scarcity, addressing the effects of climate change and implementing sustainable water management practices are essential to safeguard natural treasures like Basaseachi Falls.
Source: El Universal
