The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, Sept. 10, said that Magat Dam in Isabela could easily reach its normal high water level of 190 meters with the anticipated rains of typhoon "Kiko" (international name "Chanthu").
In a virtual press conference on Friday, PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain said that Magat Dam only needs 43 millimeters of rainfall to reach its 190-meter normal high water level as it has increased by almost 10 meters since Sept. 1.
With the projected three-day basin rainfall of 50 to 70 millimeters within its watershed, Magat Dam could easily reach its normal high level.
As of 6 a.m., Magat Dam's reservoir water level was at 185.39 meters from 184.17 meters. Its "maximum height limit" during the rainy season is 193.0 meters.
So far, there is no advise from Magat Dam management that they will release water today because there are currently no rains within the watershed, Orendain said.
They have also been notified of the expected rainfall within the watershed of Magat Dam, he added.
PAGASA said that the catchment of Magat Dam is huge but the reservoir is small thus it fills up quickly.
Moreover, PAGASA said that three dams in Luzon have been conducting spilling operations in the past few days.
Based on PAGASA's monitoring on Friday, Ipo Dam's reservoir water level was at 100.93 meters which is close to the normal high water level of 101.0 meters.
Ambuklao Dam's reservoir level, meanwhile, reached 751.37 meters which is close to its normal high water level of 752.0 meters.
Binga Dam's reservoir water level reached 574.75 meters, nearly at its normal high water level of 575.0 meters.