The recent rains brought a significant reinforcement to the Algarve reservoirs, adding 52 million cubic meters (HM³) to the reserves of the six dams in the region, according to data from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). This recovery allowed a climb in total storage capacity from 34% to 45%.
The APA predicts that these values continue to increase, thanks to the continuity of the flow of the streams. However, the gains were not uniform. The leventy Algarve registered a significant recovery of 42 hm³, raising the reserves of its two dams to 67%. On the other hand, the Well observed only an increase of 10 hm³, with its reserves still limited to 31% of the total capacity. The watersheds of bravery and arade remain in extreme hydrological drought, while the levent has managed to move to a weak hydrological drought situation.
Compared to January 2024, there is an increase of 62 hm³ in reserves. In early 2024, the Algarve faced one of the most severe droughts ever, which led to the warning statement and the implementation of consumer restrictions. Recovery began in March 2024, then reached 45% of total capacity.
Despite progress, the situation of hydrological drought persists, especially in the Well. Current reserves do not yet guarantee the interactiveness of water resources in the region, highlighting a significant asymmetry between the leect and the Well. APA will evaluate the possibility of reviewing restrictive measures currently in force, but will continue to monitor the water situation daily and consumption in order to ensure sufficient reserves for public supply for a year.
With regard to groundwater, the situation remains critical, especially in the western sector of the Querença-Silves aquifer, which plays a vital role in public supply and agricultural watering. Although the end of the end of 2024 and the reduction of extraction contributed to the stabilization of underground levels, the December piezometric records show historically low values at some monitoring points. Groundwater, due to their geomorphology, have longer periods of recovery, which may vary from months to years.
At national level, the total stored volume remains at 72%, according to.
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