Extraction of water from the Pixquiac River by the Medio Pixquiac diversion dam

Abstract

From the middle part of the Pixquiac River, water is diverted to the city of Xalapa (allocation of 250 l/s), which causes the river to decrease its flow at different times of the year until it disappears. To guide actions focused on solving problems around the availability of water in the Pixquiac River, it is essential to address aspects such as the extraction of water from the river by the Medio Pixquiac Dam. Given this, the objective of this work is to study, based on seven field measurement campaigns and photographic records, between October 2021 and July 2023, the extraction of water by the Medio Pixquiac diversion dam. The results show that for at least seven months (May 2022 and January 2023 to June 2023) of the study period, the dam extracted the entire volume of water from the river. This situation, which immediately after the dam dries the Pixquiac River to the point of disappearing, is evident and worsens as the dry season progresses (Nov-Apr), compromising not only the well-being of the people who benefit from the river's water, but also of the ecosystems that depend on it. Therefore, it is recommended to review the allocation granted considering the availability of river water in order to avoid total extraction of its water. It is also suggested to study other aspects that could be influencing the decrease in the river's flow since before the dam, for example; increase in water withdrawals and changes in rainfall and runoff patterns in the basin.