Magat Dam water level continues to drop

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines   â€“ The water level of the Magat Dam along the Isabela-Ifugao border continues to drop below the normal level, according to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). 

As of yesterday, the dam’s water level reached 174.25 meters, way below the normal level of 183 meters, according to NIA engineer Saturnino Tenedor, the dam’s instrumentation, flood forecasting and warning section chief

The dam, which provides irrigation to at least 80,000 hectares of farmlands in Isabela and parts of Quirino and Cagayan, had its all-time low of 149 meters in July 1991.  

The dam also generates 380 megawatts of power, making it the second biggest power provider among hydropower dams in Luzon. 

Despite the continued drop in the dam’s water level, authorities gave assurance of normal power supply in the Luzon grid.

Earlier this year, the Isabela provincial government and the Department of Agriculture conducted clouding seeding operations to cushion the impact of drought on thousands of local farmers. 

In 2010, Isabela also experienced a prolonged dry spell, with the dam’s water level dropping to 151 meters, or two meters short of its recorded lowest elevation. 

That year, Isabela suffered at least P6 billion in damage to corn and rice crops, affecting the country’s supply of the two staples, since the province is the top corn producer and the second in rice production after Nueva Ecija.