Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Mexico’s water reserves remain at historic lows as rainy season ends

As Mexico bids farewell to a very rainy summer season, the country is still experiencing historically low water reserves.

According to the National Water Commission (Conagua), the total water storage of Mexico’s 210 main dams is 80.1 billion cubic meters — 64% of their total capacity — a figure that is 12% lower than the historical average of 91.3 billion cubic meters.

La Boca Dam, which supplies the metropolitan area of ​​Monterrey, has a low percentage of water reserves.
Forty-two dams in Mexico are at or beyond their full capacity, according to Conagua, but 52 are below 50% of their storage capacity. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro/)

Conagua reported that from Jan. 1 to Nov. 3, the country recorded 697.5 millimeters of rainfall, an average amount according to records from 1991 to 2020. 

According to data from the Technical General Subdirectorate of Conagua, the 2024 rainy season “will statistically end on Nov. 30.”

Mexico’s water reserves in numbers

Forty-two dams in Mexico are at or beyond full capacity, according to Conagua, amounting to 8.8 billion cubic meters of water. Meanwhile, 77 of Mexico’s dams reached 75% to 100% of their storage capacity totaling 35.1 billion cubic meters.  

In contrast, 32 dams are between 50% and 75% of their storage capacity, amounting to 28 billion cubic meters. Finally, 57 dams recorded levels below 50%, totaling 8.2 billion cubic meters.

As of Nov. 4, the reservoir with the highest water levels was the Marte R. Gómez dam in Tamaulipas, with a 122% storage level.

Conagua also reported that the three reservoirs that make up the Cutzamala System — which supplies around 28% of the capital’s water — are at 67% capacity, with a total volume of 524.5 billion cubic meters. 

Drought conditions in Mexico

According to the drought monitor published by Conagua and the National Meteorological System (SMN), as of Oct. 31, at least half of the country is not suffering from drought conditions.

However, parts of the Baja California Peninsula, Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango and Coahuila are still seeing exceptional levels of drought. 

In Chihuahua, which is experiencing drought conditions throughout the entire state, authorities have declared a state of emergency for the second year in a row. Furthermore, authorities expect Chihuahua to receive 40% less rainfall in 2025 than in 2024.

With reports from Raichali, Infobae and El Economista

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Three tractor trailers parked, completely blocking a major roadway. From elft to right, they are lime green, white and white.

National Guard to work with tracking firms in 5 states to find stolen cargo vehicles

0
The Guard will work with vehicle tracking companies in five high-risk states to find the thousands of cargo vehicles hijacked and stolen each year on Mexico's highways.
Sheinbaum has not shared an official statement regarding Trump's victory, saying "It's prudent to wait" until vote counting has concluded in the United States.

Sheinbaum on Trump victory: ‘There is no reason for concern’

2
After seeking to reassure Mexicans about the impact of a second Trump presidency, Sheinbaum declared that Mexico "always moves forward."
Mexican man in a white baker's tee shirt and apron puts a baking sheet of bread rolls onto an industrial-sized rack

Formal sector employment at historic high in October, says IMSS director

0
Mexico's formal sector employment numbers were the highest on record in October, according to IMSS Director Zoe Robledo.