Introduction to the Project and Key Participants
On Monday, Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City, led the ceremonial first shoveling event for the construction of Tunal II Dam. This project, managed by Mexico’s National Water Commission (CONAGUA), will cost approximately 3,985 million pesos and is expected to benefit 340,000 residents of Durango by ensuring a reliable water supply for the next 50 years.
Project Details and Timeline
According to CONAGUA’s General Director, Efraín Morales López, the Tunal II Dam will be situated in El Nayar, Durango, and will provide 1,500 liters of water per second from the Tunal River. The project is projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2028.
Complementing Existing Water Infrastructure
Morales López emphasized that this new dam will work in conjunction with the recently inaugurated Guadalupe Victoria Dam, ensuring a consistent and high-quality water supply for Durango’s capital and its surrounding metropolitan area.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Felipe Zataráin Mendoza, Subdirector General of Potable Water, Drainage, and Sanitation, explained that 300 million pesos will be allocated for the project’s initiation in 2025, creating 1,400 direct and 2,800 indirect jobs. The dam will span 280 meters in length, reach a height of 98 meters, and store 126 million cubic meters of water.
- Construction of diversion channels will be completed by April 2026.
- The project includes a water intake, pumping station, conduit line, and potabilization plant.
- Once operational, the dam will replace 69 wells from the Valle del Guadiana aquifer, which have faced quality issues due to fluoride and arsenic contamination.
Governor’s Perspective on the Project
Esteban Villegas Villarreal, Durango’s Governor, highlighted that Tunal II Dam offers a long-term solution to the state’s historical water supply challenges. He stated, “This dam will provide clean, high-quality, and healthy water 24/7 for Durango residents. Moreover, it will stimulate the local economy and agricultural sector.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Claudia Sheinbaum? Claudia Sheinbaum is the President of Mexico City, who played a crucial role in initiating the Tunal II Dam project.
- What is the purpose of the Tunal II Dam? The primary goal of this dam is to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for Durango’s 340,000 residents for the next 50 years.
- What are the project’s details and timeline? The Tunal II Dam will be located in El Nayar, Durango, and is expected to cost around 3,985 million pesos. The project’s completion is projected for the first quarter of 2028.
- How will this dam complement existing water infrastructure? The Tunal II Dam will work alongside the recently inaugurated Guadalupe Victoria Dam to ensure a consistent and high-quality water supply for Durango’s capital and its metropolitan area.
- What economic impact and job creation can be expected from this project? The Tunal II Dam project will create 1,400 direct jobs and 2,800 indirect jobs. It will also replace contaminated wells from the Valle del Guadiana aquifer with cleaner water sources.
