After a prolonged dry spell, Catalonia's water reservoirs are gradually recovering, thanks to a series of storms that have swept through the region throughout March 2025.
The Agència Catalana de l'Aigua (ACA) reported that as of Sunday, March 23, 2025, the reservoirs in the internal basins of Catalonia are at 56.08% capacity, a significant improvement compared to prior months. March has seen rain on 20 of the 23 days available, which marks a sharp contrast to the dryness experienced in January and February.
Reflecting on the past, the most recent figures represent a stark recovery from the historical low reached in March 2024 when the reservoirs dropped to only 14.3% of their capacity, a worrying trend that prompted the Catalan government to declare a state of emergency.
The positive rainfall figures this March come after a troubling start to the year when water reserves across the nine main reservoirs in Catalonia saw a decrease of 0.7%. In stark comparison, as of March 4, 2025, they had an average of 58%, and by March 17, they surged to 65.7% thanks to heavy rains bringing over 4,300 cubic hectometers of water in just ten days.
Nevertheless, Catalan officials emphasize the ongoing need for caution. Óscar Ordeig, the Minister of Agriculture, reiterated that although the recent rains bring hope, "the emergency situation is not over yet," and urged responsible water usage as reservoirs do not remain full.
Sílvia Paneque, the Minister of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, echoed these sentiments, stating that ongoing investments are crucial to reducing Catalonia’s reliance on rainfall. Despite achieving over 50% capacity in current reservoirs, the region still faces underlying challenges from previous dryer years.
In total, the eight main reservoirs that supply water particularly to Barcelona and Girona include Sau, Susqueda, La Baells, La Llosa del Cavall, and Sant Ponç, along with other important ones like Darnius Boadella and Riudecanyes. The water levels in the individual reservoirs vary significantly, with La Baells at 89.27% capacity, while others like Riudecanyes are at only 40.79%.
Data from ACA show that, on average, rainfall from October 1, 2024, to March 4, 2025, was about 351 liters per square meter, indicating a slight uptick over typical figures for this time of year. As of late March, this average has increased even further to 444 liters per square meter.
Despite these improvements, the drought is not fully averted. The recent enhancements have been crucial, increasing levels from 15.38% in 2024 to what they are now, but forecasts still indicate the necessity for comprehensive water management strategies.
Government approaches now include a new water management strategy, which encompasses three new desalination plants and the investment in stations that will regenerate water. Such initiatives are urgent given the climate change trends that have led to extended drought periods in Mediterranean climates.
The Catalonia government has established the Special Alert Plan for Drought Situations, which categorizes drought status across various phases. These range from normal to emergency phases, where significant restrictions are placed on water usage. Currently, many municipalities are still under alert, with 108 municipalities in a phase of exceptionality in Gironès and 37 in Alt Empordà facing emergency conditions.
Given the region’s commitment to sustainability and prudent water use, the government has ramped up reforms aimed at bolstering water supply, particularly as climate predictions suggest that droughts may increase in duration and intensity. Authorities are not complacent and assert that vigilance remains the order of the day.
As of late March, while reservoirs have shown promising signs of recovery to above the safety line, the reserve totals still only provide for approximately 257 days of water based on current consumption rates for 7.5 million people. Should rainfall cease, it is essential to spur further conservation efforts and explore all avenues to ensure a sustainable approach to water management.
Finally, experts warn of the precariousness of the current recovery. Water authorities maintain that while the trend is encouraging, the reality of climate-related challenges continues to loom large in Catalonia’s water future.
