Angat Dam nearing ideal yearend elevation

MALOLOS, Philippines — Heavy rain in the past few days has raised the water elevation in Angat Dam closer to the reservoir’s ideal yearend level of 212 meters.

Records from the Bulacan disaster risk reduction and management office showed that as of 8 a.m. yesterday, Angat’s water level was 209.03 meters, or only 2.97 meters below the ideal yearend elevation.

Angat Dam supplies 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs and provides irrigation water to 25,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga.

Normally, if the dam reaches 212 meters by the end of the year, Metro Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga are assured of potable and irrigation water requirements.

If the yearend elevation falls below the ideal level, authorities said Angat Dam may drop to its minimum operating level of 180 meters during the summer months.

If the elevation further drops below the 180-meter minimum operating level, Angat is automatically reserved for the water needs of Metro Manila residents.

Water needs for hydropower generation and irrigation for Central Luzon farmlands will also stop if the dam falls below its minimum operating level.