The heavy rains caused by the Tropical Storm Melissa significantly raised the levels of several reservoirs throughout the country, placing five of them —Monción, Rincón, Valdesia, Hatillo and Sabaneta— very close to its maximum capacity, according to the most recent report from the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI).
According to the report, these reservoirs have levels that exceed 85% of their maximum volume, which guarantees the availability of water for different uses, but also requires strict monitoring by the hydraulic authorities in the face of the possibility of new rains.
Monción and Rincón, among the most crowded
The Monción dam, located in Santiago Rodríguez, is practically at capacity, with a volume of 322.75 million cubic meters (MMC), equivalent to 97.76% of its maximum capacity (330.13 MMC).
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Its current level is 279.28 meters above sea level (masl).
Similarly, the Rincón dam, in La Vega, maintains 56.62 MMC, which represents 95.40% of its capacity (59.40 MMC) and a level of 121.53 meters above sea level.
The INDRHI considers that both reservoirs are in “optimal condition,” although they continue to be monitored to prevent overflows or unscheduled discharges.
The Valdesia dam, which supplies drinking water to Greater Santo Domingo and other southern provinces, shows a volume of 117.29 MMC, equivalent to 90.05% of its total capacity (130.25 MMC).
Its level remains at 148.37 meters above sea level with a maximum of 150.00 meters above sea level.
Meanwhile, the Hatillo dam, the largest reservoir in the country, registers 328.89 MMC, for 87.77% of its maximum capacity (374.88 MMC) and a level of 84.74 meters above sea level.
These indicators are considered favorable by the INDRHI, since they guarantee the stable supply of water for human consumption, agricultural irrigation and electricity generation in the coming weeks.
Sabaneta exceeds its maximum level
The Sabaneta dam, in San Juan, slightly exceeded its total capacity, reaching 100.43%.
It currently stores 56.28 MMC, when its maximum volume is 56.05 MMC, and presents a level of 644.08 meters above sea level, exceeding its limit of 644.00 meters above sea level by tenths.
The INDRHI indicated that this behavior is due to the increase in rain in the southwest area and that controlled discharges are being carried out to maintain the balance of the dam and avoid downstream effects.
Other dams maintain adequate levels
The report also details that other important reservoirs, such as Tavera (75.94%) and Bao (76.25%) in Cibao, as well as Sabana Yegua (68.78%) and Jigüey (41.47%) in the south, maintain moderate but sufficient levels to guarantee the continuity of service in their respective basins.
