Sunday, July 20, 2025

Drought dries up Copper Canyon waterfall although some blame mining

A waterfall in the Copper Canyon in Ocampo, Chihuahua, has dried up due to the severe drought affecting the area.

The 246-meter Basaseachi waterfall — the second highest in Mexico — is normally a tourist attraction, but has been reduced to a trickle of water falling onto the walls of the canyon.

The nationwide drought has affected all municipalities in Chihuahua this year, where crop losses of up to 90% have been recorded. Reservoirs have been at exceptionally low levels, sparking predictions of an economic and social crisis.

Residents of Ocampo said there has been alarm about the waterfall since April. They name an exterior cause: two mines which divert the river to serve their extraction activities.

Local councillor Javier Ruiz Acuña said the fate of the waterfall is the simple consequence of the nationwide drought and dismissed other theories. He added that the waterfall had dried up in other periods of water scarcity, and said that once the rain returned the water would run again.

Ocampo residents said the waterfall usually runs at full strength in August.

With reports from El Diario and Milenio

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
News quiz

The MND News Quiz of the Week: July 19th

0
Tariffs, traditions and tech workers: Have you been following the news in Mexico this week?
A lake

As Lake Texcoco recovers, rising water swallows the ruins of the canceled airport

3
The flooding of the abandoned project marks a symbolic turning point in the perception of the lake's role itoday n the Valley of Mexico's topography.
Sheinbaum displays a Finabien bank card

Mexicans in US can avoid remittance tax with government Finabien cards, Sheinbaum says

14
The government is also updating consular services for Mexicans in the U.S., eliminating filing fees and allowing online appointment scheduling.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity