Lake Chapala’s rainy season period of recuperation is off to a rip-roaring start this year, with a 30-centimeter rise in the water level registered over ten days during the second half of June.
Data reported by the Jalisco Water Commission (CEA) shows Chapala standing at 94.62 on the Cota elevation scale as of June 28, compared to 94.32 when it hit this year’s low point on June 18.
The volume of water is currently calculated at slightly more than 4.34 billion cubic meters (4,345.7 Mm3). The lake is at 55 percent full capacity, compared with 47.9 percent one year ago.
The lake topped off at 5,100 Mm3, 64.6 percent capacity, in mid-October 2017, preceding a steady decline over the next eight dry months.
Abundant rainfall is quickly filling up the dam system that feeds the Lerma-Chapala watershed, raising expectations that flood prevention releases will continue boosting the lake’s rise.
Curious lake-watchers can track CEA’s daily updates up-to-date on Chapala’s status and its extensive historical data at ceajalisco.gob.mx/contenido/chapala/#lago.