Overview of the Situation
According to Mexico’s National Water Commission (CONAGUA), the three dams in the Cutzamala system—Villa Victoria, Valle de Bravo, and El Bosque—have reached a historic water storage level of 93.1% as of the last Monday. The total stored water amounts to 728.521 million cubic meters (Mm³).
Optimistic Forecast
Citlalli Peraza Camacho, the director of the Organization for the Valley of Mexico Water Basin (OCAVM), reported that CONAGUA has two forecasts for the end of the rainy season on November 30. The optimistic scenario predicts a storage level of 98%, equivalent to 766 Mm³, while the more conservative estimate is 96% with 751 Mm³.
Historical Comparison
Peraza Camacho highlighted that the current storage level is the highest in seven years. Comparing this year’s data to previous years (2018-2023), the storage levels were 92.02%, 82.13%, 67.26%, 61.36%, 38.79%, and 62.86%, respectively.
Individual Dam Storage Levels
- Villa Victoria: 94.26% (175.069 Mm³ out of 185.731 Mm³ capacity)
- Valle de Bravo: 93.31% (368.012 Mm³ out of 394.390 Mm³ capacity)
- El Bosque: 91.62% (185.440 Mm³ out of 202.400 Mm³ capacity)
Water Allocation and Recent Rainfall Impact
The current allocation of water is 10.9 cubic meters per second (m³/s), distributed between Mexico City and the State of Mexico. Despite recent heavy rainfall causing damage in various parts of the capital, it also contributed to groundwater infiltration and recharging the Cutzamala system.
Recent Storage Increase
Since May 25, the water storage in the Cutzamala system has increased by 347 Mm³.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Cutzamala system? The Cutzamala system consists of three dams—Villa Victoria, Valle de Bravo, and El Bosque—that store and distribute water to Mexico City and the State of Mexico.
- Why is this storage level significant? This storage level is the highest in seven years and indicates a robust water supply for the region, crucial during dry seasons.
- What are the two forecasts for the end of the rainy season? The optimistic forecast predicts a storage level of 98%, while the more conservative estimate is 96%.
- How has recent rainfall affected the capital? Although heavy rainfall caused damage in various parts of Mexico City, it also contributed to groundwater infiltration and recharging the Cutzamala system.
