Elevation in 8 Luzon dams drops as temperature rises

MANILA, Philippines — The rising temperature has reduced the water level in eight major dams in Luzon.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the elevation in Angat Dam in Bulacan was at 208.73 meters or down by 23 centimeters from the previous 208.96 meters.

The elevation is 3.27 meters below Angat’s normal high water level of 212 meters.

An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that Angat’s elevation is not expected to fall below the dam’s minimum operating level of 180 meters even as water consumption increases during the dry season.

Carlos Primo David, chief of the DENR-water resources management office, said that Angat’s current elevation is the highest in the last 10 years.

Meanwhile, the water level in Ipo Dam, also in Bulacan, decreased by 21 centimeters or down to 100.77 meters, which is 33 cm below the dam’s normal high water level of 101.1 meters.

La Mesa Dam in Quezon City dropped by four cm after it reached 79.76 meters compared to its previous level of 79.80 meters.

Ambuklao Dam in Benguet dropped to 748.22 meters or nine cm below its previous level of 748.31 meters.

The elevation is 3.78 meters below the dam’s normal high water level of 752 meters.

Binga Dam, also in Benguet decreased by 32 cm after it reached 573.35 meters compared to its previous level of 573.67 meters. The dam’s normal high water level is 575 meters. 

Other dams that reported reduced elevations were Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija, Magat in Isabela and Caliraya in Laguna.