Bogota’s Reservoirs at Risk of Overflowing, One Year After Harsh Droughts

Written on 07/17/2025
Josep Freixes

Bogota’s reservoirs are about to overflow, following Colombia’s exceptional drought of 2024 and a year of water restrictions in the capital. Credit: Santiago La Rotta, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 / Flickr.

The reservoirs of Bogota, Colombia, are nearing capacity and are on the verge of overflowing. Just a year ago, the country was facing an extremely severe drought that lasted into the early months of this year. However, persistent rains over the past five months have reversed the situation, following record-low reserve levels in April 2024. At that time, local authorities in Bogota imposed strict water supply restrictions, which remained in place until March of this year.

Bogota’s reservoirs near maximal capacity following last year’s drought

The reservoir system that supplies water to Bogota has reached 89.71% of its capacity and could surpass that level if rainfall continues at the pace seen during the first two weeks of July, as current weather forecasts suggest.

This year’s dry season—which typically begins in June and lasts through early September—has been unusually rainy across much of the country. As a result, reservoir levels have steadily risen, nearing 90% capacity by mid-July.

Just a year ago, between April 2024 and April of this year, Bogota faced an unprecedented crisis marked by scheduled water cuts and supply restrictions. The measures affected more than 10 million residents in the capital and surrounding areas.

Fifteen months ago, reserves in the Chingaza reservoir system dropped below 16%, prompting city officials to implement water rationing to prevent a major shortage.

Now, only four months after the restrictions were lifted, persistent rains have dramatically reversed the situation. Authorities are currently focused on the risk of overflow in several reservoirs—particularly Chuza and San Rafael—which form part of the Chingaza system that supplies Bogota.

Alert over possible reservoir overflow in Bogota

Authorities are reportedly monitoring water flows and emergency management has taken on heightened importance given the potential for overflow. If reservoirs reach full capacity—which could happen imminently if rainfall persists—overflow risks will rise in the coming days.

“We have indeed been making operational changes for several months, drawing more water from the Wiesner plant to better regulate the reservoir,” explained yesterday Natasha Avendaño, General Manager of the Bogota Aqueduct and Sewer Company (EAAB), to local television.

However, the official urged calm, assuring that all precautions are being taken to prevent overflow. She announced that contingency plans are already in place “to respond to any potential emergencies that may arise.”

Avendaño added, “If we see water levels nearing maximum capacity—which could lead to overflow in the respective reservoirs—we will activate the preventive protocol to alert risk management agencies.”

According to data provided yesterday (July 16) by responsible agencies, reservoir levels are near full capacity: Chuza at 87.56% and San Rafael at 97.09%. As a result, the Chingaza system is at 89.71% of total capacity, as reported by CityTV, Bogota’s local television station.

2025 is shaped by La Niña’s effects

Following a year marked by El Niño-induced drought, La Niña phenomenon has now triggered a radical shift in rainfall patterns across Colombia and other global regions this year.

Colombia has seen a significant increase in rainfall, especially in the Andean, Caribbean, and Pacific regions. The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) warns of landslide risks, flash flooding, and river overflows in departments like Antioquia and Boyaca, as well as along the Pacific coast. However, the Orinoquia and Amazonia regions could experience rainfall deficits between June and August.

Local effects are already visible: intense June rains caused deadly landslides in Medellin and mass displacements. Similar events occurred in Choco’s Pacific region and other areas like Santander, though direct attribution to climate change remains uncertain.

In Bogota, cloud cover and humidity have brought cooler temperatures and increased localized urban flooding due to rapid rainwater accumulation.

Globally, La Niña brings wetter patterns to North and Central America and may slightly moderate global temperatures—though it does not reverse planetary warming trends. It is also expected to fuel a more active Atlantic hurricane season due to weaker high-altitude winds.

The shift from El Niño (with its droughts and impacts on hydroelectric plants and agriculture) to La Niña’s wet phase underscores the urgency of strengthening early-warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and regional climate monitoring to mitigate future risks.

The dry season in Colombia this 2025 is turning out to be exceptionally rainy due to the La Niña phenomenon, which affects a large part of the planet. Credit: A.P. / Colombia One.