Liyutan Reservoir storage surges 16 million tons in 10 days amid heavy rains

Central Taiwan's Liyutan Reservoir is experiencing a dramatic recovery in its water levels, thanks to recent heavy rainfall brought by a plum rain front. In a remarkable 10-day period, the reservoir's storage surged by 16.04 million tons, pushing its capacity to 71.9% as of Friday morning. This significant increase brings the total stored water to 83.05 million tons.

The reservoir, a crucial water source for Miaoli, Taichung, and Changhua, had faced severe water shortages earlier in the year. Due to a lack of spring rain, its water level dropped to a concerning low of 25.95% in early April, holding only 30.05 million tons. Fortunately, rainfall around the Qingming Festival provided some relief, halting the decline and initiating a slow recovery.

The recent plum rains, however, have dramatically accelerated this recovery. Since June 5, the reservoir's water storage has risen substantially. While it had reached 71.34 million tons by May 22, a subsequent dry spell caused a slight decrease to 67.01 million tons by June 5. The past ten days of continuous rain in the catchment area have reversed this trend, with the reservoir gaining an additional 2.28 million tons in just the last 24 hours.

With the current storage at 83.05 million tons and a capacity rate of 71.9%, the Liyutan Reservoir is now only 8.3 meters shy of its full capacity, marked at a 300-meter water level. This substantial replenishment offers significant relief from the earlier drought concerns and ensures a more stable water supply for the region.