Angat Dam starts water discharge as levels surge

Angat Dam starts water discharge as levels surge

CRITICALWATER SOURCE Angat Dam, seen in this photo taken in September 2023, straddles the towns of Norzagaray and Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan and serves as a major source of tap water in Metro Manila and irrigation for Bulacan and Pampanga provinces. The elevation of the reservoir is dropping due to lack of rainfall. —PHOTO COURTESY OF BULACAN PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE

NORZAGARAY, Bulacan — Angat Dam began releasing water on Wednesday (Jan. 15) after its level rose to 214.53 meters above sea level (masl) at 10:30 a.m., exceeding the normal high of 212 masl.

The release started at 3 p.m., with a light discharge of 70 cubic meters per second (cms), which is not expected to cause flooding, according to Bulacan PDRRMO head Manuel Lukban Jr.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando reassured residents of Calumpit and Pulilan that ongoing dam and dike projects, such as Bayabas and Mega Dams, would prevent water wastage by storing excess releases for farmers’ use.

Recent rains over the Sierra Madre mountains caused the dam’s levels to rise.

READ: Angat Dam, other water sources drying up due to lack of rainfall

The dam primarily supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs and is maximizing storage in preparation for the dry season.

Carlos Dimaapi, head of the Angat Maasim River Irrigators Association, said the dam’s stable supply allows farmers to plan a third cropping season from late October to early January 2026.

Farmers currently receive 15-18 cms of irrigation water, which will be sufficient until April 15, when crops are due for harvest.

Angat Dam had previously dropped to 180 masl in July 2024 but recovered due to a series of typhoons last year. INQ

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