Spain's Water Reserves See Significant Improvement as 2025 Begins

As Spain steps into the new year, there is a glimmer of hope for the country's water reserves, particularly in regions that have been grappling with severe drought conditions. The latest data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Miteco) reveals a notable improvement in the water levels across various reservoirs.

Improved Water Levels

At the start of 2025, Spain's reservoirs are holding 28,973 million cubic meters of water, which is equivalent to 51.7% of their total capacity. This is a significant increase from the 46% capacity recorded at the beginning of January 2024. The current water reserves are 5.6 points higher than last year, with an additional 3,142 million cubic meters, an amount slightly higher than the national annual domestic consumption.

Regional Variations

The improvement is not uniform across all regions, but it is particularly noteworthy in areas that have been hardest hit by drought. The Guadalquivir and Guadiana river basins, for instance, have seen their water levels rise by 15 points each. The Andalusian Mediterranean basin has also experienced a 10-point increase, while the Guadalete Barbate basin is up by 14 points. The Júcar and Segura river basins, although still in a critical situation, have seen a modest rise of three points each.

Impact of Rainfall

The increase in water reserves can be attributed to the heavier-than-usual rainfall in 2024. According to provisional data from Aemet, Spain's national meteorological agency, mainland Spain received 670 liters per square meter of rainfall last year, which is 5% above the normal average. The year saw several 'wet' and 'very wet' months, with October being particularly significant due to the 'Dana' weather events, which made it the wettest month on record.

Critical Areas

Despite the overall positive trend, some regions remain in a precarious state. The Segura river basin, for example, is still at only 21% of its capacity, the worst on record for any of the mainland's drainage basins. This has prompted the 'Comisión de Desembalse' to maintain irrigation restrictions in the area until at least March 2025.

Expert Insights

Professor Jorge Olcina, director of the Climatology Laboratory at the University of Alicante, while acknowledging the positive news, cautions against complacency. He highlights the ongoing issues in the southeast of Spain, particularly in the Segura and Andalusian Mediterranean basins, where water reserves remain below 30%. Olcina also notes that forecasts do not indicate a very rainy winter ahead, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant with drought plans.

Regional Reservoir Capacities

Other regions are faring better. The Eastern Cantabrian reserves are at 86.3% capacity, while the Western Cantabrian reserves are at 65.5%. The Miño-Sil basin is at 55.7%, Galicia Costa at 80.8%, and the inland river basins of the Basque Country at a robust 95.2%. The Duero basin is at 63.6%, the Tagus at 54%, and the Tinto, Odiel, and Piedras basins collectively at 82.5%.

As Spain navigates the complexities of water management amidst ongoing drought conditions, the current improvement in water reserves offers a welcome respite. However, the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to address the long-term challenges of drought remains paramount.