Pantabangan Dam water levels rise

Water reserves at Pantabangan Dam are rising steadily following heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon and typhoon “Inday,” according to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The NIA-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems reported a 3-centimeter increase in the dam’s water elevation, alongside a significant inflow increase averaging 44 cubic meters per second.

Alvin Manuel, acting department manager for the irrigation system, said the Casecnan and Taan weirs were the primary contributors to the increase. A weir is an overflow barrier built across a river or open channel to control flow rates and raise upstream water levels.

Manuel said the influx marks the beginning of the reservoir’s recovery as it builds up water reserves in preparation for the 2027 dry-crop season.