The recent rains have had a positive impact on the level of the 210 main dams in Mexico, increasing their filling capacity from 60% to 61%, reported the Technical General Subdirectorate of the National Water Commission (Conagua) during a session of the Technical Committee for the Operation of Hydraulic Works.
Despite this increase, the total volume of water stored in the country’s reservoirs is still 12% lower than the historical average for this time of year, Conagua noted.
As for the Cutzamala System, which supplies almost a quarter of the water consumption of the Valley of Mexico, it is at 62.9% of its total filling level.
Adequate hydrological management and recent rains have allowed the Cutzamala to reach a total volume of 491.87 million cubic meters, with a projection of reaching 510.3 million cubic meters in the next week.
This increase in storage is crucial to ensure water supply in the region, especially during the driest months.
In particular, the El Bosque, Valle de Bravo and Villa Victoria dams have filling levels of 88.6%, 52.6% and 56.6% respectively, according to the Valley of Mexico Water Basin Agency (OCAVM) of Conagua.
On the other hand, the rains have contributed to a reduction in drought levels in the country. Currently, 63% of the Mexican territory is free of drought, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN).
This change is due to the 644.1 millimeters of rain accumulated from January 1 to October 6, 2024.
Regarding the tropical cyclone season, the SMN has recorded the development of six systems in the Atlantic Ocean in recent weeks, adding up to a total of 13 phenomena in this basin. In the Pacific Ocean, the system called John has formed again, reaching 10 of the 15 to 18 systems predicted for the season.
The impact of Hurricane Milton on the Yucatan Peninsula has been significant, with rains of up to 150 millimeters, winds of up to 200 km/h and waves of up to 8 meters in Yucatan. In Campeche and Quintana Roo, very heavy rains and winds of up to 90 km/h have been recorded, while in Tabasco and southern Veracruz, heavy rains and winds of up to 80 km/h have been reported.
Conagua predicts recovery of Cutzamala
Valle de Bravo has implemented a policy of not extracting water, allowing the injection of a flow of 12 cubic meters per second to accelerate its recovery, according to Citlalli Elizabeth Peraza Camacho, general director of the Valley of Mexico Water Basin Organization (OCAVM) of the National Water Commission (Conagua). This approach has contributed significantly to the recovery of the Cutzamala System dams, which have seen an increase in their storage level.
Since June, the Cutzamala System dams have recovered 287.73 million cubic meters of water, representing a notable increase in the water supply for the Valley of Mexico, which depends on this system for 25%. In the last two weeks, the average level of the El Bosque, Valle de Bravo and Villa Victoria dams has increased from 57.4% to 62.9%, an increase of 5.5%.
OCAVM Director Peraza Camacho highlighted the importance of these measures for the sustainability of water resources in the Valley of Mexico. The non-extraction strategy at the Valle de Bravo dam and the injection of water are part of a broader plan to ensure the recovery and maintenance of water levels in the system.
The Cutzamala System is one of the main sources of water for Mexico City and its metropolitan area, and its efficient management is vital to meet the water demand of millions of inhabitants. The actions implemented by Conagua seek not only to recover water levels, but also to ensure long-term sustainable management.
Source: infobae
