Two major dams in Luzon are set to release water on Monday, Sept. 2, due to ongoing rains affecting the watersheds, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
During a press conference, PAGASA Hydrologist Rosalie Pagulayan said that Ipo Dam in Bulacan and Binga Dam in Benguet will begin releasing water at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
Ipo Dam will discharge 61 cubic meters per second (cms), while Binga Dam will release 35 cms, Pagulayan said.
As of 8 a.m., the water level at Ipo Dam was 101.30 meters. The dam in Bulacan is currently 0.20 meters above its normal high water level of 101.10 meters during the rainy season.
Meanwhile, Binga Dam’s water level was at 571.96 meters, or 3.04 meters below its normal-high water level of 575 meters.
Pagulayan emphasized that the water releases remain minimal and may not significantly affect low-lying areas.
She explained that San Roque Dam in Pangasinan could benefit from the water discharge from Binga Dam, as part of the cascading dam system, noting that San Roque Dam is still 27.06 meters below its normal high water level of 280 meters.
Likewise, Pagulayan said that even without the opening of the Ipo Dam’s gates, river levels can still rise due to rainfall.
She pointed out that it is not primarily the dam releases that affect water levels in these areas, but rather local rains.
Magat, La Mesa dam status
Pagulayan also said that Magat Dam in Isabela is closely monitored as it is “very sensitive” and “can fill up quickly.”
She added that the dam has a large watershed but a relatively small reservoir.
Currently, Magat Dam’s water level is at 184.22 meters, which is 5.78 meters below the normal high water level of 190 meters.
However, because Tropical Storm Enteng is expected to make landfall, the dam is being monitored closely.
Likewise, Pagulayan said La Mesa Dam in Quezon City is also closely monitored as it has no gates and overflows automatically when it reaches 80.15 meters.
Currently, its water level is at 79.51 meters.