Of the six dams monitored by the National Water Information System of the National Water Commission (Conagua), only one has reported an increase in level despite recent rainfall in the metropolitan area of San Luis Potosí.
This is the Cañada del Lobo dam, which went from a level of 38.8% at the April 23 cutoff to 44.7% in the May 26 report, thus registering a 5.9% increase in its water levels.
It should be noted that the National Water Information System has not updated its daily reports since April 23; however, Dario Fernando González, Conagua delegate in San Luis Potosí, published the dam level report for May 26 on his social media account.
Aside from the Cañada del Lobo dam, the San José, El Peaje, El Potosino, Valentín Gama, and La Muñeca dams have lost water levels. The El Potosino dam, located in the town of Escalerillas, has lost the most water this month, dropping from 43% in April to 28.4% in May, resulting in a loss of 14.6%.
The dam that lost the least water this month was the El Peaje dam, dropping from 84.4% in April to 81.8% in May, a loss of 2.5%.
San José Dam Could “Dry Up” in Just Over 5 Months
Although water levels in a dam can vary depending on rainfall in the areas where they are located, the San José Dam began experiencing losses in its water levels starting in September 2024.
It should also be noted that this was the month in which the last heavy rains were recorded in San Luis Potosí.
According to information from Conagua (National Water Commission), the dam’s capacity was reported at 113.6% for the September 16 report; while for Monday, May 26, it was reported at 45.7%.
See also: Las Escobas Dam: The Challenges and Impact of the National Water Plan for SLP
Thus, in approximately eight months, 67.9% of the dam’s water was lost, and on average, approximately 8.48% of the water level at the dam last September has been lost per month.
Taking into account the average loss of the dam since that time, and assuming no rain falls in San Luis Potosí during that time, the San José Dam would have approximately five months left before being completely empty.
It is important to mention that the above calculation shows the scenario in the event of a sustained loss of water at the San José Dam due to the dry season, for example. However, the National Water Information System reported that this dam went from a level of 36% on April 15 to 49.2% on April 23.
Source: oem