The reservoirs They continue to rise, but very slowly. The water reserve has experienced a growth of only 17 cubic hectometers this week, which is equivalent to an increase of 0.03%. It is, therefore, the fourth week in which the water impounded in Spain grows again, but the reality is that this increase has stagnated compared to previous weeks, when the rains brought significant levels of water to the Peninsula. Despite this, the Andalusian and Catalan basins, two of the territories where the droughtthey manage to continue improving their data.
This is confirmed by the figures published by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, which updates the reserve data every Tuesday. According to this organization, the reservoirs are this week at 66.64% of its capacitynow having more than 37,300 cubic hectometers of water.
Although the rise has slowed, the current level is much higher than that of a year ago. In 2023, the water dammed in this same week of April barely exceeded 28,000 cubic hectometers, barely exceeding the 50% capacity barrier. The water reserve is now up to 16 points above this situation and it has almost 10,000 cubic hectometers more difference, numbers that confirm the good condition of the reservoirs.
This good level is also reflected when comparing its data with those of the last decade. Although 2024 began with numbers well below the average of the last ten years, the reserve has registered a significant boost in April. In fact, the dammed water is now up to four points above the average for this same week in April over the last ten years, which is 64%.
Up to ten basins increase their levels
Of the total of sixteen water basins that make up the reserve, ten of them managed to increase their level this week, three remain in the same situation and the The other three remaining are the only ones that go down. Above all, the levels of Andalusia and Cataloniawhose basins consolidate the rise experienced for weeks and continue to improve their data.
This means that the drought will be alleviated in both regions. In Catalonia, where the emergency in more than 100 municipalities of Barcelona and its metropolitan area was declared when its basins fell below 16%, this week its levels managed to rise another 0.2% and They are already at 18.2%. Despite everything, the restrictions will continue for the summer because it is expected that the situation could worsen again, although the Generalitat has relaxed the measures imposed regarding the filling of public swimming pools.
💧 The Spanish water reserve is at 66.6% of its capacity
The reservoirs currently store 37,342 hm³
» increasing in the last week by 17 cubic hectometersMore info: https://t.co/TQ1Mo2zPxb pic.twitter.com/Cd4Kz6pjUL
— Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (@mitecogob) April 23, 2024
The basins of Andalusia also remain in good health. Although Guadalete-Barbate, in Cadiz, lose one tenth and stand at 30.5%, the rest of the basins do raise their levels. Above all, the Andalusian Mediterranean basin does it, which increases 0.6 points in just seven days and it now stands at 31.1%. Tinto, Odiel and Piedras also rise, which is already at 85.6%; Guadalquivir, at 47.1% and Guadiana, at 57.1%.
As for the rest of the basins, the one with the best data is once again that of the Duero, with a level of 92.5%. They are followed by the internal basins of the Basque Country, at 90.5%; Western Cantabrian, at 89.6% or Miño-Sil, at 88%. At a lower level are, among others, the basin of the Blockat 81%, or that of Ebro, at 74.3%. Lastly, this week the basin of the Safewhich loses two tenths and is at 24.3%becoming after the Catalan basin the basin whose levels are most worrying.
