Tsengwen Reservoir fills up: Three key water indicators disappear underwater

The Tsengwen Reservoir in Taiwan has seen a dramatic increase in its water levels following heavy rainfall in June, submerging three prominent water observation markers that had become visible due to a prolonged dry spell. The reservoir's catchment area received abundant rain from a low-pressure system, a stationary front, and the outer bands of Typhoon Mikala.

These meteorological events contributed to approximately 70% of the first half's total rainfall occurring in June alone, adding about 290 million cubic meters of water to the reservoir. This influx caused the water level to rise rapidly, covering structures that had become exposed.

“

The reservoir's catchment area received abundant rain from a low-pressure system, a stationary front, and the outer bands of Typhoon Mikala.

Among the submerged indicators are the outer structure of the anti-silt tunnel's "elephant trunk" intake, the spillway's water diversion channel platform, and a material processing site. Previously, when the water level dropped below 206 meters, the concrete platform of the spillway became fully exposed, resembling an open field. The material processing site, built in 1967, would emerge from the water like a "hillside hut" when water levels were low.

Before the June rains, the reservoir's storage rate had hit a year-low of 9%, exposing all three indicators. The continuous rainfall throughout June, particularly in the latter half, pushed the storage rate up by over 54%, reaching 64.21% as of Wednesday evening. While the combined effective storage with the Wushantou Reservoir exceeds 348 million cubic meters, water authorities continue to urge the public to conserve water.

“

June's cumulative rainfall in the Tsengwen Reservoir catchment area was 883 millimeters, bringing about 290 million cubic meters of abundant inflow.