Overview of the Current Water Storage Situation in Mexico
According to the latest Drought Report in Mexico, as of September 15, 9.3% of the country is affected by drought. Out of 2,471 municipalities, only 130 are experiencing drought conditions, while 607 are classified as abnormally dry.
Dam Levels and Storage
A total of 39 dams, which account for 92% of the water storage capacity across Mexico’s reservoirs, have recorded levels below 50% of their capacities. Some of these dams are located in areas with varying degrees of drought, ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought.
- Notable dams affected include:
- Abelardo L. Rodríguez, Cuauhtémoc, La Angostura, El Molinito, Abelardo Rodríguez Lujan, Ignacio R. Alatorre in Sonora
- La Amistad and Centenario in Coahuila, Falcón and Las Blancas in Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, among others.
These 39 dams currently hold a combined total of 8,336 cubic kilometers (Mm³) of water, which is greater than the 7,943 Mm³ recorded a week prior. However, at least 20 dams are located in areas with some level of drought impact, varying from abnormal dryness to extreme drought.
Additional Dam Categories
- Dams with 50-75% capacity: 39 dams, totaling 38,886 Mm³ of water, which is less than the 40 dams reported a week earlier with 42,348 Mm³.
- Dams with 75-100% capacity: 60 dams, totaling 26,119 Mm³ of water.
- Dams with over 100% capacity: 72 dams, totaling 6,683 Mm³ of water. This number has decreased from 77 dams with an average of 7,213 Mm³ reported on September 15.
General Aspects and Impact
The total storage across Mexico’s 210 large dams amounts to 80,024 cubic kilometers, representing a 6% increase. Daniel Arriaga, sub-manager of Operational Hydrology at the Surface Water Resources and River Engineering Department of CONAGUA’s Technical General Directorate, mentioned that recent rains have led to increased runoff in the watersheds of these dams, contributing to a 4,500 Mm³ increase in overall volume.
Despite the recent rains, the total volume of water in these 210 large dams (80,024 Mm³) is still 3,398 Mm³ less than the historical average, indicating a 4% deficit. This shortfall has persisted throughout 2025.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current drought situation in Mexico? As of September 15, 9.3% of the country is affected by drought, with 130 municipalities experiencing drought conditions and 607 classified as abnormally dry.
- Which dams are most affected by the drought? Thirty-nine dams, accounting for 92% of Mexico’s reservoir storage capacity, have recorded levels below 50% of their capacities. Notable affected dams include Abelardo L. Rodríguez, Cuauhtémoc, La Angostura, El Molinito, Abelardo Rodríguez Lujan, Ignacio R. Alatorre in Sonora, as well as La Amistad and Centenario in Coahuila, Falcón and Las Blancas in Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
- How has the overall water storage changed? The total storage across Mexico’s 210 large dams has increased by 6% to 80,024 cubic kilometers. However, this volume is still 3,398 Mm³ less than the historical average, indicating a 4% deficit.
