Spain’s Reservoir Levels Jump to 77.3% After Heavy Rainfall
Exceptional rainfall from a series of recent storms has led to a record weekly increase in Spain’s reservoir water levels. The national capacity now stands at 77.3%, holding 43,341 cubic hectometres (hm³) of water, an increase of 10.1 percentage points from the previous week. This surge is primarily due to the abundant precipitation over the past week, significantly boosting the country’s water reserves.
Current Overall Reserve Status
According to the latest hydrological bulletin from Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), the country’s total reservoir capacity is 56,043 hm³. Current water storage is at 43,341 hm³, representing 77.3% of the total. Over the past week, reservoirs gained 5,634 hm³ of water, a 10.1% increase, marking the largest single-week rise in recent years. Data from multiple sources indicates that this level is significantly higher than the same period last year and the ten-year average.
Direct Contribution of Rainfall to Reservoirs
This wave of rainfall has covered most of Spain, with precipitation exceeding normal values, especially along the Mediterranean coast, in Andalusia, and western Galicia. Meteorological data shows that cumulative rainfall since the beginning of the hydrological year has far surpassed typical levels, directly driving the rapid refilling of reservoirs. The continuous storms have increased river runoff and significantly boosted reservoir inflow, leading to historically rare weekly gains in some areas.
Significant Regional Differences in Water Storage
Water storage levels show regional imbalances. Northern areas, such as the eastern Cantabrian and internal Basque Country basins, have exceeded 85% capacity, with some approaching 90%. The central Duero and Tajo river basins have reached 76.8% and 79.3%, respectively. In the south, the Guadalquivir basin is at 74.4%, the Mediterranean Andalusian basins are at 70.95%, and the Segura basin remains relatively low at just 39.4%. Although the south still lags, all regions have shown significant improvement over the past week.
Comparison with Historical Data
The current 77.3% capacity is a high point for this time of year over the last decade. In the same period last year, reserves were around 50%-55%, and the ten-year average was even lower. This rapid recovery is thanks to an unusually wet winter, which also substantially increased the snowpack, laying a foundation for further replenishment during the spring thaw. Water management authorities state that this reserve level provides a reliable guarantee for urban water supply and agricultural irrigation.
