Uruguay River faces potential extraordinary rise due to heavy rainfall

The Comisión Técnica Mixta (CTM) de Salto Grande has warned of a potential extraordinary rise in the Uruguay River due to heavy rainfall forecasts across the basin. Driven by El Niño effects, significant precipitation is expected over the next seven days, particularly in the upper and middle sub-basins.

If current forecasts hold, river levels could reach or exceed alert levels and potentially hit evacuation thresholds before mid-October. For locations downstream of the dam, the rise is expected to be more gradual but sustained. The CTM notes a high probability of above-normal rainfall over the next three months, which may keep the river in a sustained high-water state.

In Concordia, the predicted maximum height of the river at the port has been raised to 10.60 meters. Forecasts indicate rainfall between 49 mm and 85 mm in various areas, including Paso de los Libres, Santo Tomé, and Salto Grande. While the reservoir level has recently been descending due to dam operations to create containment space, incoming water from the north is expected to offset these efforts.