The Segura basin plan sets environmental requirements as a priority, and stresses that not enough has been done so far
Only 20% of the rivers, boulevards and streams in the Segura basin that have established ecological flows have a control system for effective compliance with the environmental requirements established by law. This situation has led the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) to prioritize in the new basin plan the establishment of numerous control points through the SAIH information system in real time, with the aim of monitoring the degree of compliance of ecological flow regimes. For this control to be effective, 46 surveillance points must be established.
Unlike other demarcations, such as the Tagus, the CHS maintains for the next five years the same system of minimum flows set in the previous plan in 77 water bodies. The novelty corresponds to the section between Contraparada and Reguerón for drought situations, which increases from 0.5 to 1 cubic meter per second.
With its hydric stress, the demarcation will maintain the same regime of environmental flows as in previous years
Variety of flora and fauna
Generator flows have also been incorporated in some sections in which, being located between two reservoirs, they had an excessively regulated and constant water circulation regime, which was causing the riparian vegetation to invade the natural channel.
Likewise, maximum exchange rates have been established in the reservoirs, which reflect the maximum speed at which the gates of a reservoir can be opened or closed so as not to affect the ecological status of the river downstream. In the habitat of the Segura, the riparian forest, white poplars, brambles, poplars and tamarisks predominate. Among the fauna, there are mainly otters, eels, barbels and trout; as well as eagles, owls, bats, kingfishers, nightingales, dippers and wagtails, among others. The CHS emphasizes that the hydrological regimes are decisive in the habitat of the species of flora and fauna linked to the water environment, in particular for fish.
Ephemeral rivers and boulevards
Emphasizes that ecological flows do not constitute a hydrological regime that must be achieved, but rather are prior restrictions or limits that are established with respect to the circulating hydrological regime, to prevent the deterioration of water masses as a result of anthropogenic action, or to achieve its recovery if necessary.
The next planning cycle has an arduous task ahead of it to check the degree of compliance with the minimum flows, which have a different regime in drought situations. Currently, of the 77 cataloged water masses -divided into 81 sections-, only 15 have a permanent gauging station. Of the 62 remaining water masses, without an operational sampling station, in 16 the established ecological flow is zero. They are ephemeral rivers, since their natural conditions mean that resources do not circulate except in sporadic episodes and for a period of less than 100 days.
The Basin Plan approved on the 8th by the Water Council concludes that there are 46 masses “without permanent control of the circulating flow regime, which denotes a significant lack of foronomic control, which must be reversed during this planning cycle. , through the measures whose execution has been programmed in the plan, “says the document.
The Confederation highlights the “significant agreement” that occurred in the discussion and preparation phase of the plan on the need to monitor and enforce minimum ecological flows. More than 60% of citizens who participated through surveys were “quite in agreement” with these environmental objectives. The CHS acknowledges that not enough progress was made in previous years. “The monitoring reports prepared by the Segura Hydrographic Confederation, referring to the second planning cycle (2015/21), recognized certain shortcomings in the implementation and monitoring of ecological flows,” he points out.
To overcome these problems, the new plan proposes eight measures, among which the expansion of the capacity and control network stands out, as well as the review and closure of unauthorized water diversions that take away water resources. There will also be specific surveillance in the section of the Segura between La Contraparada and El Reguerón, as well as in protected areas.
A flow in Murcia three times lower than that of the Tagus in Aranjuez
The system of minimum ecological flows in ordinary situations shows a very poor average in the Segura basin compared to other demarcations. The highest record corresponds to the Segura river between Ojós and Archena, with 2.15 cubic meters per second. As it passes through Murcia, said minimum flow is 2 cubic meters, three times less than the Tagus as it passes through Aranjuez (where the Ministry plans to increase its flow by 43%). In many boulevards no flows are set because they only circulate in episodes of heavy rain.
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