Overview of Querétaro’s Dam Storage Levels
According to the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), as of September 3, the average storage level in Querétaro’s 26 dams is at 91%. Currently, these dams hold 188.03 million cubic meters of water, compared to the total capacity of the Normal Maximum Water Level (Namo), which is 206.48 million cubic meters.
Dams at Full Capacity
- 18 dams are at 100% capacity, primarily located in the Metropolitan Area and southern Querétaro.
- These dams include Santa Catarina (Querétaro City), San Pedro (Huimilpan), El Carmen (El Marqués), El Zorrillo (Huimilpan), Pirules (El Marqués), El Zapote (Querétaro), San Miguel Tlaxcaltepec (Amealco de Bonfil), Santiago Mexquititlán (Amealco de Bonfil), Jesús María (El Marqués), El Tecolote (Amealco de Bonfil), Derivadora de San José (Huimilpan), and El Cajón (Querétaro).
- Additionally, Jalpan (Jalpan de Serra), Colón (Colón), La Venta (Pedro Escobedo), El Coto (San Juan del Río), Puerta de Alegrías (San Juan del Río), and Derivadora Constitución de 1857 (San Juan del Río) are also at full capacity.
Dams Below Full Capacity
Eight dams are below 100% capacity, with La Soledad (Colón) at 98.4%, La Llave (San Juan del Río) at 92.8%, and San Ildefonso (Amealco de Bonfil) at 91.8%. Five dams have less than 90% storage: Constitución de 1917 (San Juan del Río) at 88.2%, Ceja de Bravo (Huimilpan) at 87.5%, Centenario (Tequisquiapan) at 83.4%, El Batán (Corregidora) at 67.4%, and San Rafael (Huimilpan) at a mere 37.6%.
Top Two Storage Capacity Dams
Among the 26 water bodies, two have the largest storage capacity: Constitución de 1917 in San Juan del Río, which can hold 66.08 million cubic meters (32% of the total 206.48 million cubic meters), and San Ildefonso in Amealco de Bonfil, with 47.81 million cubic meters (23.15% of the total).
The remaining 24 dams contribute less than 5% to the total storage capacity of the 26 main dams in hydrological regions 12 and 26.
Rainy Season Aids Dam Recovery
The rainy season has helped recover Querétaro’s dams, which previously had low capture rates. Over a year ago, on August 2, 2024, the 26 dams were at 43% storage. By January 14 of this year, only the seven main dams were at 53.6% capacity; by March 24, they had dropped to 36.6%; and by April 9, they averaged 32.5%.
The precipitation this year also helped Querétaro exit a drought that affected most of the territory, a condition that began to ease around mid-May with the start of the rainy season.
By early August, Querétaro was one of 11 states with 100% of its municipalities without a drought report, according to Mexico’s Drought Monitor (MSM).
Zimapán Dam Desalination Planned
Due to increased rainfall, desalination of the Zimapán dam, which borders Querétaro and Hidalgo and is currently at 100% capacity, is expected to begin on Friday, according to the Querétaro state government.
The State Water Commission (CEA) confirmed that this measure will affect water supply in 336 colonies across four municipalities, as the operation of the Acueducto II system—which supplies potable water to Querétaro—will be halted due to desalination activities.
The State Coordination for Civil Protection of Querétaro (CEPCQ) stated that preventive monitoring, analysis, and preparation are being conducted in potentially vulnerable communities in Cadereyta de Montes and neighboring Hidalgo areas due to the opening of dam gates.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the average storage level of Querétaro’s dams? The average storage level is 91%, with 26 dams in total.
- Which dams are at full capacity? Santa Catarina, San Pedro, El Carmen, El Zorrillo, Pirules, El Zapote, San Miguel Tlaxcaltepec, Santiago Mexquititlán, Jesús María, El Tecolote, Derivadora de San José, El Cajón, Jalpan, Colón, La Venta, El Coto, Puerta de Alegrías, and Derivadora Constitución de 1857 are at 100% capacity.
- Which dams are below full capacity? La Soledad, La Llave, and San Ildefonso are above 98%, while Constitución de 1917, Ceja de Bravo, Centenario, El Batán, and San Rafael are below 90%.
- What are the top two storage capacity dams in Querétaro? Constitución de 1917 and San Ildefonso have the largest storage capacities.
- How has the rainy season impacted Querétaro’s dams? The rainy season has aided the recovery of Querétaro’s dams, which previously had low capture rates.
- What is the planned desalination of the Zimapán dam? Due to increased rainfall, desalination of the Zimapán dam will begin on Friday, affecting water supply in several colonies across four municipalities.
