The historic heatwave affecting Catalonia has found the Alt Empordà region in an improved hydrological situation. The Darnius-Boadella reservoir, popularly known as the Muga dam, is currently at 81.40% capacity, with 51.53 million cubic meters (hm³) stored. This figure represents an increase of 9.45 hm³ compared to last year.
Data from the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) indicates that the current volume is almost double the average of the last five years (28.76 hm³) and significantly higher than the average of the last decade (36.38 hm³). Current reserves are approximately 79% higher than the five-year average and 42% higher than the ten-year average.
This improvement is significant considering the reservoir reached historic lows in September 2023 (16%) and forced the declaration of emergency level 2 in March 2024, when reserves fell below 7 hm³.
Recent rainfall has reversed the scenario, placing the internal basins at 90.38%. Although Darnius-Boadella (81.40%) is below other large reservoirs, its position is much more comfortable than during periods of intense drought.
Despite the positive data, the need for caution remains. The system depends on the Muga basin, which is subject to agricultural, urban, and tourist pressure. Water saving continues to be an obligation, especially with increased evaporation and consumption during the summer.
