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Spain’s Reservoirs Start 2026 at 56.6% as Storm Francis Triggers Dam Releases and Uneven Gains

Controlled discharges eased pressure at near‑full reservoirs following rapid inflows.

Overview

  • Total stored water stands at 31,744 hm3, about five percentage points higher than a year ago and roughly seven above the 10-year average of 49.6%.
  • The week’s net gain was 190 hm3 nationally, with sharper rises in storm-hit areas: Barcelona’s reservoirs jumped 16 points and Málaga and Cádiz added 4–5 points.
  • Dam safety measures followed the surge, including a controlled release at the Guadarranque reservoir (Cádiz) after 23 hm3 entered in 24 hours and recent discharges at La Concepción in Málaga.
  • Thirteen of 16 basins are above 50% capacity, while the Segura basin remains lowest at 26.1% with 297 hm3 stored.
  • Five autonomous communities are below half capacity—Murcia 29%, La Rioja 41.5%, Navarra 42%, Valencian Community 42.6%, Andalusia 49.5%—with Almería the hardest-hit province at 7.1%.