Rains boost level of drying Angat Dam
NORZAGARAY, BULACAN—Continuous moderate to heavy rains over the past several days have finally brought relief to the drying Angat Dam, raising its water level after the reservoir hit its lowest recorded elevation in history last week.
As of Friday, Angat Dam’s water level climbed to 155.05 meters above sea level (masl), recovering by more than four meters from the historic low of 150.61 masl recorded on July 25.
The increase followed sustained rainfall beginning on Wednesday that significantly improved water inflows into the reservoir. Prior to the rains, Angat Dam had been posting only minimal gains despite occasional showers.
Data from the National Power Corp. (Napocor) showed the reservoir gradually rising from 154.25 masl to 154.46 masl, 154.56 masl and 154.63 masl at intervals of several hours on Thursday before reaching 155.05 masl on Friday.
The prolonged dry spell had reduced the reservoir to such an extent that portions of its earth dike, embankments and sidewalls became visible. Napocor hydrologist Engr. Mark Aguilar said these areas are normally submerged when the dam is at its normal high-water level of 212 masl.
“Under normal conditions, the water reaches near the green areas where the trees are located,” Aguilar told the Inquirer.
Despite the recent improvement, Angat Dam remains about 57 meters below its normal high-water elevation, underscoring the need for more rainfall in the coming weeks.
Crucial rainfall
Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Manuel Lukban Jr. said stronger rains and future typhoons passing through the Sierra Madre mountain range, where the Angat Watershed is located, will be crucial to restoring the reservoir.
Angat Dam, situated in Barangay San Lorenzo in Norzagaray, serves as the primary water source for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. It supplies about 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water requirements.
