From July 19th to 21st, the CRRH-SICA held the virtual XXIII Hydrological Perspective of Central America Forum to provide information for informed decisions in the region. During the event, hydrology experts analyzed rainfall forecasts and historical records to generate the hydrological perspective for the period from August to October 2023.
The Forum considered climate drivers and climate forecast models to generate a quantitative flow rate forecast for basins selected by each country. The results show variations in the flow rate in different basins of the region. In the study, “m3/s” is mentioned, which is an abbreviation used to represent the flow rate or water flow in cubic meters per second.
For example, if it is said that a river’s flow rate is 100 m3/s, it means that every second, the river is carrying a volume of water equivalent to 100 cubic meters. This is an important measure for understanding the amount of water circulating in a stream and for various purposes.
For instance, in Guatemala, a flow rate of 10.8 m3/s is forecasted for August (-63%), 23.1 m3/s for September (-47%), and 35.9 m3/s for October (-51%) in the San Pedro river basin.
In Honduras, a flow rate of 21.1m3/s is expected for August (43% less than the historical average), 85.1 m3/s for September (3% less than the historical average), and 49.6 m3/s for October (39% less than the historical average) in the Grande or Reitoca river basin.
El Salvador also shows variations, with average flow rates of 35.1 m3/s for August (-15% of the historical average), 55.1 m3/s for September (-44%), and 55.6 m3/s for October (-30%) in the Torola river basin.
Nicaragua presents forecasts close to the historical average, with flow rates of 154.6 m3/s for August (-7% of the historical average), 105.7 m3/s for September (-19%), and 153.1 m3/s for October (+12%) in the Siquia river basin.
In Costa Rica, average flow rates of 44.8 m3/s are expected for August (29% below the historical average), 44.0 m3/s for September (-25%), and 56.0 m3/s for October (-13%) in the Arenal river basin. In Panama, average flow rates of 151.6 m3/s (-30%) are forecasted for August, 187.6 m3/s (-16%) for September, and 243.1 m3/s (-19%) for October in the Embalse Bayano basin.
Importance
These results are fundamental for water resource management in the region, especially for sectors such as hydroelectric power generation, water supply, river and maritime transportation, and early warning system management.
Source: UNESCO
