The best water reserves in almost three years: reservoirs are approaching 50% full.

BarcelonaThe rain and snowfall of recent days has kept reservoirs in Catalonia's inland basins at capacity. Reservoirs continue to rise steadily and now exceed 46% of capacity, with more than 315 cubic hectometres (hm³). In just over a week, water levels have risen nearly 14 points, the highest levels recorded since July 2022. Furthermore, rainfall will continue this week, suggesting that reservoirs will reach 50% capacity in the coming days. The current figures are more than triple those of a year ago, when the drought's record low (14.41%) was recorded.

Since the beginning of March, rainfall has not stopped, especially in the headwaters of the rivers that feed the main reservoirs, where in many cases between 150 and 200 l/m² have already accumulated in just two weeks. Catalonia has entered a rainy period with the passage of storms and maritime winds laden with moisture, the ideal scenario for irrigating the country. And, unlike last spring, this year the ground is already very wet, which means that rainwater easily reaches the rivers and is not retained by vegetation.

Two more waves of rain are expected this week. One will occur between Tuesday and Wednesday, with eastern precipitation that could be especially abundant in the northeast and inland from the Ebro. Forecasts indicate that around 100 l/m² could accumulate again in places in the Pyrenees and the eastern Pre-Pyrenees, inland from Alt Empordà, in the Montseny area, and in Els Ports. This rainfall could particularly benefit the headwaters of the Sau, Susqueda, and Darnius-Boadella reservoirs. The second episode is expected between Thursday night and Friday, with a new storm that will bring more rain.

Therefore, reserves will receive a new boost. And to all this, we must add the fact that the snow level will rise significantly, towards 2,000 m or more by midweek. This will cause all the snow that has accumulated below this level in recent days—in some cases, quite abundant—to melt and further swell the rivers that feed the reservoirs.

All of these data will likely soon lead to a relaxation of drought restrictions, especially in the municipalities of Alt Empordà that are still in the emergency phase. Most of the regions supplied by the inland basins—which constitute the bulk of the Catalan population—are currently in the alert phase, although the drought plan establishes the transition to pre-alert when reserves exceed 40%. The Government is currently acting cautiously.

The current situation was unthinkable a year ago and represents a giant step toward beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel of this historic drought. Long-term forecasts also maintain that spring will continue to be rainy. Furthermore, at the highest points of the Pyrenees, there is more than a meter of accumulated snow, a large reserve of water for the thaw.

Clear improvement in all reservoirs

The rainfall of recent weeks has significantly increased the levels of all the reservoirs in the inland basins, without exception. The highest levels have been those of Sau and Darnius-Boadella, which rose from 7% and 17% before the rains to 37% and 36% respectively right now. In fact, water is once again bathing the base of the emblematic bell tower of the Sant Romà de Sau church, a sight not seen since June of last year.

The Riudecanyes and Siurana reservoirs have also clearly increased, improving significantly and now exceeding 34% and 14%, respectively. The Baells reservoir—one of the largest in the inland basins—exceeds three-quarters of its capacity and is approaching 77%, the Llosa del Cavall reservoir is at 43%, and the Foix reservoir is full. Susqueda, on the other hand, remains stuck at 41%, because Sau has collected all the water so far.