May 12th, 2011

From the top of the dam, Juan Carlos Pedroso points his finger at the spot where water levels should normally be; and then signals the spot where they actually are. And only then we see clearly the enormous gap that separates them, and realize that the situation is, indeed, alarming.

With only 5.6 million cubic meters of water─ the lowest volume registered in the last 12 years─ the Herradura reservoir in the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio, which has a real storage capacity of 58.31 million, is about to reach what specialists call "the dead level", meaning that extracting any more water is no longer possible.

Strict control on water extraction and usage has allowed residents in Cuba’s westernmost province to optimize water usage for months now; but the prolonged drought continues and Pinar del Rio is running out of options.

The water situation is critical all along the province. Of a total storage capacity of 781.18 million cubic meters of water, Pinar del Rio’s 24 reservoirs are currently at 34 percent capacity, holding no more than a scarce 267 million.

Juan Carlos points his finger at the spot where normal water levels should be, and then notes the immense abyss between what’s desirable and what’s real.

Figures are subject to changes though, given that a portion of the water must be especially saved for fish faming and therefore can not be used for irrigation.

For instance, the La Juventud dam, the largest reservoir in Pinar del Rio, has practically reached its dead level, holding little more than 14 million cubic meters of water.

The situation has grown worse due to lack of rainfall in the last few years. For instance, rain in 2009 was far below normal─ only 87 percent of the expected considering rainfall averages in previous years. In 2010, it was just 86 percent.

"On the even more chaotic side, we have been unable to capture most of the rain since it has been falling on areas where run-off water is not likely to flow towards water reservoirs by gravity," noted Eduardo Lóriga, head of the Hydraulic Resources Management Company.

"Last year, it rained heavily on rice fields in southern Pinar del Rio, bringing about serious setbacks for farmland preparation. However, it hardly rained over Pinar del Rio’s northern areas where most reservoirs are located." Lóriga continued.

In fact, the 13 reservoirs watering local rice plantations are the ones facing the worst situation, given that they are expected to provide enough water to irrigate an estimated 11,000 crop fields.

"Most water reservoirs are at risk of drying up completely now that we are in need for irrigation more than ever."

Currently at just 28 percent capacity, water reservoirs targeting the rice sector are, for the most part, drying up rapidly, with barely 167.6 million cubic meters of water of which only 89 million can be used.

Figures seem of little importance at first glance, says the specialist; adding that "part of the water destined for field irrigation will be probably lost due to evaporation and infiltration."

Faced with what seems to be a quirk of nature, provincial authorities have redoubled efforts aimed at saving and optimizing the use of the precious resource.

An example is the rearrangement of crops in a way that allows reusing drainage water.

"Since early February, we are running studies every 10 days in order to carry out periodical evaluations on the water situation to avoid water wastage and crop affectations," said Lóriga, adding that they are also adopting measures to combat social indiscipline.

"Some people have tried to manipulate the floodgates for personal gain," warned Lóriga. "This is why, in order to tackle illegality, we are requesting the staff to stay longer at the installations while we come up with more efficient mechanisms to streamline control and resource management at the facilities."

In this sense, specialists expect this winter season to be a successful one; but warn that the spring season could get seriously compromised if water shortages continue, as already happened in 2010.

"So far, rice crop reservoirs in the province have 25 million cubic meters of water less than normal, a quantity that would have sufficed to irrigate some 1,510 hectares of land according to initial plans.

"Faced with this fact, we have decided to prioritize the irrigation of fields already planted." Lóriga commented.

On the more negative side, water shortages are severely impacting livestock breeding, with vegetation becoming rapidly scarce.

From the top of the dam, Juan Carlos Pedroso, working at the Herradura reservoir, comments that "they are also victims of the situation," and that they depend on the rains as much as everybody else.

If compared to the reservoirs destined for the agriculture sector, the ones providing water to the population are in a much better situation (at 61 percent capacity).