EDIA initiates controlled discharges at Alqueva
In a statement, the Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company (EDIA) said that at 4 pm on Wednesday it would "open the mid-bottom spillways of the dam" to carry out "controlled discharges."
The company noted that the move is intended to address “the persistence of high inflow rates in the Alqueva-Pedrógão System, which have raised the reservoir levels to values close to the Full Storage Level,” it company explained.
Water released from Alqueva will run on to the Pedrógão Dam, which forms part of this multipurpose scheme and has been releasing water into the Guadiana River since the 21st of this month.
“The flow discharged into the Pedrógão Dam will be in the order of 1500 m³/s,” revealed the management company of the Alqueva Multipurpose Project (EFMA).
According to the company, “storage in Alqueva had been managed primarily through the operation of hydroelectric plants, allowing for the regulation of volumes and ensuring energy production.”
Alongside this, it added, “the Pedrógão Dam, located 23 kilometres downstream, carried out discharges that contributed to the management of inflows.”
“However, given the persistence of high inflows, it became necessary to complement this operation with controlled discharges also in Alqueva, guaranteeing the maintenance of the operational safety margins of the reservoir,” it justified.
Expected impacts on the Guadiana River in Mértola
The releases that began today at Alqueva are expected to raise both the level and the flow of the Guadiana River downstream of the Alqueva and Pedrógão dams. The statement adds: “This situation is being closely monitored by EDIA in coordination with the relevant authorities.”
At the same time, the Municipality of Mértola reports that Spain’s Chança Dam is also discharging continuously, a development that could further increase water levels and intensify flows in the downstream stretch of the Guadiana River.
Local authorities explain that water released from the Pedrógão Dam takes around 18 hours to reach Pulo do Lobo. For that reason, any clear increase in the river flow in Mértola should only be felt after that time has passed.
Given the present conditions, the Mértola City Council expects a progressive rise in the Guadiana River’s flow, with the most noticeable changes likely to be seen throughout today, Thursday.
Public safety advice for riverside areas
It is recommended that people "avoid staying or circulating in riverside areas, riverbanks and areas usually subject to flooding," "not cross submerged areas, fords or paths near the riverbed," "pay extra attention to agricultural, livestock or leisure activities near the Guadiana River and strictly comply with the instructions of the authorities and civil protection services."
Alqueva reservoir capacity
The Alqueva reservoir has a maximum level of 152 metres and can hold up to 4,150 cubic hectometres of water.
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