Fortis Belize Monitors Chalillo Dam Levels Amid Drought Concerns

As the authorities have been preparing for potential floods, Fortis Belize are monitoring the levels at the Chalillo Dam.  Love News understands that the company is still waiting for rainfall to have significant impact on water levels at the dam.  We recently reported that the Chalillo Dam has been running critically low in recent months due to the extended drought.  It had gotten to the point, in May, where Fortis had to reduce power generation to conserve water. Albert Roches, the Health, Safety and Environment Manager for Fortis, says the company is hoping that the rain forecast for this weekend will make a difference.

Albert Roches, HSE Manager, Fortis Belize: “With respect to the level of the dams, the water level, I must say that it seems like the rains have been skipping the Pine Ridge area for now. Barely any rain has fallen in the area for the catchment for the Chalillo Dam which is our main or largest reservoir. We have been receiving very little rain up there but we have hope that with the system parsing over us we’ll be receiving some good rains that will take up the level within the dam. But the  rains have been a bit scarce up in that area. But from what I was told this morning we are receiving some today.”

The Chalillo Dam is located south of San Ignacio Town in the Maya Mountains, Cayo District./