The low flow of the Chubut River during winter has raised concerns among productive and social sectors in the Lower Valley, one of the key agricultural areas in Patagonia. The situation is worrying due to its potential impact on water supply for irrigation and human consumption.
Local producers expressed their concern about the low river level and what they considered a high discharge from the Florentino Ameghino reservoir, which regulates the flow to cities like Trelew, Dolavon, and Gaiman.
The Provincial Water Institute (IPA) attempted to reassure by stating that, despite the warnings, the reservoir level is within normal parameters for this time of year.
According to official data, the current flow is around 147 cubic meters per second, a figure that exceeds the most critical records from years of extreme drought, such as 1988 or the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Low flow of the Chubut River is concerning. Photo: LU20-Chubut.
Water management and growing concern in the Lower Valley
During the irrigation season, the average discharge from the Florentino Ameghino is 33 cubic meters per second, of which about 25 are allocated to the Lower Valley irrigation system. While authorities claim that operations are regular, producers in the region fear that the early drop in flow could compromise water reserves for the coming months.
The IPA holds regular meetings with producers and municipal authorities to monitor the situation and ensure fluid communication about the river’s status and reservoir management. However, uncertainty persists among agricultural sectors, which have already submitted formal requests for controls and preventive measures.
The fear is that the combination of low reserves and high demand in spring and summer could create a critical scenario for regional production and water supply.
Factors that can reduce a river’s flow
The decrease in a river’s flow is due to various natural and human factors. One of the main factors is the lack of precipitation in the contributing basin, an increasingly common phenomenon due to climate variability and changes in rainfall patterns.
Another relevant factor is the management of reservoirs and dams, which regulate flow for irrigation, power generation, or human consumption. If discharges are not balanced between demand and replenishment, the downstream flow can be affected.
Furthermore, overexploitation of aquifers and water abstraction for agricultural or industrial use can reduce the natural contribution to the river. Deforestation and land use change also impact the ecosystems’ capacity for water retention and gradual release.
The combination of these factors, along with periods of drought, can lead to prolonged low flow scenarios, with negative effects on biodiversity, agriculture, and riverside communities.
Chubut River with low water flow. Photo: LM Neuquén.
Protecting the water resource, an environmental priority
Water is a limited and essential resource for life. Responsible management is crucial to ensure water security for communities and the sustainability of productive activities.
Constant monitoring of flows and the implementation of practices for efficient water use are key, especially in regions like Patagonia, where rivers play a vital role in the local economy.
Protection of watersheds, wetlands recovery, and proper regulation of reservoirs should be part of a comprehensive water policy that considers both human needs and environmental requirements.
The challenge is to balance production, consumption, and preservation, so that rivers like the Chubut continue to be a source of life and development without compromising their future.
