The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is planning to build a new additional water reservoir to ensure the maximum passage of 36 ships per day even during periods of drought.
The Indio River Reservoir project would become part of the existing artificial lakes and feed Lake Gatun, as well as provide a little more safety and a higher level of reliability for the route and the drinking water supply for the population.
The Indio River is supposed to feed Lake Gatun, graphic: ACP
A law passed in 2006 previously prohibited the construction of additional water reservoirs outside the country's own water catchment area. The Supreme Court of Panama has now authorised the construction of the new reservoir in order to increase water availability. However, in order for the project in the Indio River catchment area to be realised, the consent of the approximately 12,000 inhabitants who live in around 200 villages in the area is required. The authorities hope to finalise these talks in the next 18 months, with construction itself taking another three to four years, so that everything could be ready in six years.
The costs for the project are estimated at around 1.1 billion euros, plus a further 370 million euros for investments in the affected municipalities.
Finally, the good news: the rains of recent months have replenished the feeding lakes to such an extent that the total number of available slots in the Neopanamax and Panamax locks can be increased to 35 vessels after 5 August.
kdk
Source: gCaptain, africanews.
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