The Susqueda reservoir has exceeded its maximum capacity and the water has overtopped the dam this Saturday morning, according to real-time data from the Catalan Water Agency. The situation directly affects the course of the Ter river, especially in the area of La Cellera de Ter, where the ACA has activated an alert due to the increase in flow.
El Ter, under vigilance after the overflow of Susqueda
Susqueda is at 102% of its capacity, with 229 cubic hectometers of water, exceeding the 223.58 hm³ it can store. The released flow has increased significantly and the Ter river presents a flow of 208 m³/s in La Cellera, with forecasts that it will continue to grow in the coming hours.
The municipality of La Cellera de Ter has communicated the closure of the banks of the Ter from El Pasteral to La Cellera for security reasons. The population is asked not to approach the river, the fords, or the riverbank areas.
- The Sau reservoir, connected with Susqueda, is at 98.9% of its capacity.
- The Pasteral reservoir has reached 131%, with 168 hm³, compared to the 114.5 hm³ on March 5.
Record rainfall and high flows in Girona
The regions of Girona registered on Friday the rainiest day since storm Gloria in January 2020. In Molló, 120.1 liters were collected and in Vall d'en Bas, 76.6 liters. Between March 5 and 7 until 11 in the morning, significant rainfall accumulated in Santa Pau (221.2 liters), Viladrau (214.2), Sant Pau de Segúries (193.8) and Molló-Fabert (187.4).
Civil Protection maintains the alert for high flows in the Ter and other rivers of the internal basins. In the Ter basin, very high flows are registered, especially in Sant Joan de les Abadesses, and high flows in Ripoll and Torroella de Montgrí.
- The Darnius-Boadella reservoir is releasing water and stands at 96.8% of its capacity, with 61.3 hm³.
- The flow of the Muga river in Boadella has gone from 15 m³/s on March 5 to 66.6 m³/s this Saturday.
Impacts on roads and emergencies attended
The Girona Emergency Region has managed 81 alerts since Thursday, most due to falling trees and small floods. The episode has left one seriously injured person in a traffic accident on the N-260 on Friday night after a rockslide in Ripoll.
This Saturday, the N-260 between Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses remains closed due to landslides, with detours available via the N-260a and the GI-521. In addition, there are three local roads closed in the Girona demarcation due to floods and landslides.
Recommendations of the authorities
The authorities insist on the need to exercise extreme caution throughout the course of the Ter, from la Cellera to the mouth, as well as in the stretches of the Muga and other rivers with high flows. Citizens are asked to avoid approaching riverbank areas and to respect closures and traffic restrictions.