COPRE adjusts dam operations amid projected rainfall deficit through November
Santo Domingo.- The Committee for the Operation of Dams and Reservoirs (COPRE) is closely monitoring water levels, inflows and storage volumes at the country’s main dams as meteorological forecasts point to a rainfall deficit between September and November.
At its weekly joint meeting with the Water Observatory, held at the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), the committee reviewed reservoir conditions and the weather outlook. Authorities agreed to maintain adjusted operations from September 2 to 9, prioritizing water supply for aqueducts and irrigation according to available resources and weather conditions.
Indomet meteorologist Emmanuel Álvarez reported that forecasting models coincide in projecting below-normal rainfall during the September-November period. He noted that the rainfall deficit intensified between May and July, contributing to meteorological drought conditions, while the persistence of a strong El Niño is associated with reduced rainfall and less cyclonic activity in the Caribbean.
Under the approved plan, the Tavera-Bao-López Angostura system will continue operating primarily to meet irrigation and aqueduct demands. Tavera will serve irrigation needs, Angostura will maintain a flow of 19 cubic meters per second, and Bao will provide 4.43 m³/s for aqueducts.
Monción will operate with 12 m³/s for irrigation and 3.43 m³/s for the Northwest Regional Aqueduct. Hatillo will maintain 25 m³/s for irrigation, while Rincón will operate on a rationalized basis, supplying 2.10 m³/s to aqueducts. Its hydroelectric plant will remain offline through September 6 following the completion of the second rice planting cycle.
In the Jigüey-Aguacate-Valdesia-Las Barías complex, hydroelectric plants will remain out of operation because of high humidity, while Valdesia will maintain a discharge of 8.3 m³/s for aqueducts.
At Sabana Yegua, the hydroelectric plant will also remain offline due to excessive humidity. Sabaneta will operate at 10 m³/s for 18 hours, with the remaining six hours allocating 2 m³/s to the San Juan aqueduct.
EGEHID Administrator Rafael Salazar said reservoir operations are determined according to established protocols, taking into account weather forecasts, water levels and inflows at each dam.
Authorities reported that Monción currently has favorable storage levels despite minimal inflows, while Hatillo, Valdesia and Sabana Yegua also maintain adequate volumes. At Sabaneta, measures have been adopted to limit crops with high water requirements.
COPRE also called for stronger coordination with agricultural producers, the Ministry of Agriculture and INDRHI to improve water allocation and promote responsible use of the resource amid the ongoing drought.
The committee will continue monitoring hydrometeorological conditions and reservoir behavior to anticipate potential scenarios, adjust operations when necessary and safeguard water availability for the country’s priority needs.
