Angat Dam Water Level Nears Normal High, Conserving Supply Amid El Niño Fears

The water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan, Philippines, has risen closer to the reservoir’s normal high water level due to heavy rains in recent days. As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the elevation was recorded at 208.14 meters, just 3.86 meters shy of the dam’s normal high water level of 212 meters during the rainy season, according to the Bulacan disaster management office. Maria Teresa Serra, manager of the flood forecasting and warning system division of the National Power Corp. (Napocor), stated that Napocor aims to maintain Angat’s elevation within 210 meters, primarily through turbine generation rather than spillway releases. "This will allow us to conserve water for beneficial use, considering the coming El Niño phenomenon," Serra explained. She added that dam operators might consider discharging excess water if a significant weather disturbance occurs and if forecast rainfall and inflows warrant additional reservoir space. According to Serra, Napocor is targeting to reach the 212-meter mark by the end of December, depending on actual and forecast weather and reservoir conditions. The 212-meter mark represents the normal high water level of Angat during the non-flood season.