“As of April 29, 2024, there are 4,963 million m3 of water and On the same date last year there were 3,282 million m3 of water, so the volume stored now is 51% higher compared to April 2023″, mentions the General Directorate of Water (DGA) in its Weekly Hydrometeorological Report issued this Tuesday (30).
The DGA also highlights that “the historical monthly average is 5,151 million m3 of water” and, in addition “There are 11 reservoirs whose current volume is less than 20% of their capacity.”
| Reservoirs | Region | Capacity Mill m3 | Historical monthly average Mill m3 | As of April 29, 2024 Mill m3 | Actual volume vs capacity (%) | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conchi | Antofagasta | 22 | 15.7 | 12.7 | 57.9 | Irrigation |
| Lautaro | Atacama | 26 | 8.8 | 3.1 | 11.9 | Irrigation |
| Recoleta | Coquimbo | 100 | 56 | 1.8 | 1.8 | Irrigation |
| Dove | Coquimbo | 750 | 369 | 8.2 | 1.1 | Irrigation |
| Cogotí | Coquimbo | 156 | 57.8 | 0 | 0 | Irrigation |
| The Aromos | Valparaiso | 35 | 21.1 | 27.5 | 78.6 | Drinking water |
| Peñuelas | Valparaiso | 95 | 12.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | Drinking water |
| Gypsum | Metropolitan | 220 | 196.1 | 210.3 | 95.6 | Drinking water |
| Rappelling | O’Higgins | 695 | 453.6 | 434 | 62.4 | Generation |
| Bullying | Maule | 60 | 1.4 | 0 | 0 | Generation |
| Digua | Maule | 225 | 14.4 | 25.9 | 11.5 | Irrigation |
| Tutuven | Maule | 22 | 1.9 | 5.3 | 24.1 | Irrigation |
| Coihueco | Ñuble | 29.3 | 2.6 | 4.9 | 16.6 | Irrigation |
| Lake Laja | Biobio | 5582 | 1523.1 | 1823.4 | 32.7 | Mixed |
| Data updated on Monday, April 29, 2024 from some reservoirs monitored by the DGA, compared to historical values (1991-2020). | ||||||
This situation is significantly noticeable in the Recoleta, La Paloma and Cogotí reservoirs, located in the Coquimbo Region.
This rainfall condition is associated with the rainfall deficit that reaches 27.3% at the weather station of the La Florida airfield located in La Serena.
Added to the worrying situation in the aforementioned bodies of water, there are 2 more reservoirs that, to date, register a volume less than 1% compared to their capacity: Peñuelas in the Valparaíso Region and Bullileo in the Maule Region.
Reservoirs monitored by the DGA whose volume exceeds 50% of their capacity
Although the rains have not yet reached the north-central area of Chile, they have left a good amount in other reservoirs in the country. where its volume exceeds 50% of its capacity.
Cold and more rain for Chile: arrival of May reaffirms the autumn weather in several regions of the country
For example, we have the case of the Conchi reservoir (57.9%) in the Antofagasta Region, Los Aromos (78.8%) in the Valparaíso Region, El Yeso (95.6%) in the Metropolitan Region, Rapel (62.4%) in the O’Higgins Region and Pangue (86.2%) in the Biobío Region.
Regions that could receive more rain to increase the level of their reservoirs
Considering the meteorological projection presented by the ECMWF model, precipitation would be concentrated between the regions of O’Higgins and Los Lagos during the first half of May 2024.
For the second half of May 2024 It is likely that the frontal systems will arrive more weakened in the country, which is why rains are only expected over the regions of Maule, Ñuble and Biobío, Until now.
At the extremes of Chile, dry conditions will reign and, therefore, low autumn temperatures which sometimes translate into meteorological frosts.
News reference:
General Directorate of Water. Weekly Hydrometeorological Report. Issued on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
