Observations of Chapala tourist boat operators coincide with official data indicating that Lake Chapala’s water level is significantly higher than it was one year ago.
According a May 26 press release issued by the National Water Commission, the lake now stands at just over 43 percent of its total holding capacity, with a volume of 3.4 billion cubic meters (3,420 Mm3), at 93.72 on the elevation scale.
Figures show that the water level has descended only 72 centimeters since the start of the end of last year’s rainy season, compared to the 87-centimeter drop registered 12 months ago. Every one centimeter decrease is calculated to be roughly equivalent to a 10 Mm3 loss of water.
Boatmen attribute the more favorable conditions to March rains bringing about a rare out-of-season boost.