The recent DANA storm in Valencia, which resulted in over 200 fatalities, has prompted calls from Spanish civil engineers for the construction of new flood control dams in the region.
The College of Civil, Canal, and Port Engineers (CICCP) held a session on Monday to analyse the tragedy, with President Miguel Ángel Carrillo emphasising the urgent need for a national water management agreement. “We need a State Pact on water now, not later,” Carrillo said, addressing all levels of government.
Carrillo pointed out that many lives could have been saved and damages reduced if previously planned infrastructure projects and new dams had been completed. Specifically, he referred to the hydraulic works slated for the Júcar river basin but were never built. He lamented the failure to implement technical recommendations regarding infrastructure maintenance and riverbed cleaning.
€4.2 billion investment needed in Mediterranean basins
Julián Núñez, President of the construction companies association SEOPAN, provided an overview of the broader challenges. Spain has had six different hydrological plans in recent years. However, budget constraints have prevented many of them from being executed. Nuñez said, “From 2022 to 2027, we need to execute a total of €41.25 billion in hydrological infrastructure. But more than €32 billion of that is currently unfunded.”
Focusing on the Mediterranean river basins, Núñez stressed these areas should be a priority due to their high flooding risk. SEOPAN estimates that €4.2 billion is required to mitigate climate change impacts in these regions. The plan includes building new dams in Montesa, Villamarchante, Estubeny, Marquesado, and Cheste. This would require an extraordinary allocation of €400 million.
Learning from past mistakes
Carmen Castro, Vice-Dean of the CICCP in Valencia, also addressed the conference, asserting the DANA disaster could have been prevented. “We need to learn the lessons for the future,” she said. Castro highlighted that many flood defence projects remain incomplete. They provide little protection to vulnerable communities, as illustrated by recent events in the Poyo ravine. She praised the South Plan, which redirected the Turia River in the 1960s, preventing the flooding of Valencia city, contrasting this successful measure with the lack of action elsewhere.
Hydraulic engineering professor Juan Marco from the Polytechnic University of Valencia added that poor urban planning decisions made between 1957 and 1972 continue to exacerbate flooding risks. “We are still paying for mistakes made 50 years ago,” he noted. In this regard, he referred to the inadequate sewage systems in the Horta Sur area of Valencia. He called for a unified civil protection strategy to better manage emergency situations and flood prevention.
Solutions like new dams within reach
The speakers at the session also advocated for reforestation, renaturalisation of river courses, and the construction of small new dams in Valencia to manage floodwaters. Ignacio Sánchez de Mora, President of the business federation CIES, emphasised the need to “secure investment in hydraulic infrastructure. Even if it means special-purpose taxes.” Vice-Dean Castro echoed the sentiment, urging those in power to act responsibly and pragmatically. “There are basic solutions available; let’s make them a reality as soon as possible,” she concluded.
Existing dams in the Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is already home to several significant dams and reservoirs. These include;
- Arenós Reservoir
- Don Francisco Mira Cánovas Dam
- Tibi Dam
- Ulldecona Dam
These structures play crucial roles in water management, irrigation, and flood prevention across the region. However, experts argue that these existing dams are not sufficient to address the increasing threat of extreme weather events, such as the recent DANA. The proposed additional dams are considered essential to mitigate future disasters, alongside efforts to restore natural river flows and improve ecosystems through the removal of obsolete barriers.
Dam removal and flood prevention
In recent years, there has been a movement across Europe, including Spain, to remove obsolete or unsafe river barriers to restore natural river flows and improve ecosystems. In 2023, Spain removed 73 such structures, the highest number in Europe that year. However, in the Valencian Community, particularly in the Júcar river basin, only small weirs and minor barriers have been removed, not large dams or reservoirs.
It’s important to note that while the removal of obsolete barriers aims to restore river ecosystems and reduce flood risks, the construction of new dams, which are strategically placed in Valencia, is considered essential for protecting communities from extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. This dual approach reflects a comprehensive water management strategy tailored to the region’s specific needs and challenges.
Also read: The return of the dam removal conspiracy after the floodings in Spain