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Last October 18 2015, Tropical Cyclone Lando (Koppu) brought heavy to intense rain showers in Luzon as it traversed slowly towards Northern Luzon—just in time when water levels in the region’s major reservoirs were threatened because of the El Niño.

Yearly, an average of 18 to 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and 50% of our water supply come from rain showers brought mostly by these weather disturbances.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) together with other international meteorological agency, El Niño phenomenon happened in 1997 is being considered as the worst El Niño event where damage in farmlands reached P3 billion.

Before Lando, the Angat dam has been struggling with relatively low water levels since March that had eventually led to a decreased water supply in Metro Manila.

Today, as the Angat dam finally regains normal water levels, the National Water Resources Board continues to implement the proper allocation for water concessionaires to be able secure water supply until the next dry season.

Dam Data
Here’s a quick look at Luzon’s Major Dams:

Angat Dam – Situated in Norzagaray in Bulacan, it supplies water to farmlands in Pampanga and some parts of Bulacan, and is a power source of the Luzon grid. Metro Manila and Bulacan residents also get their water supply from here. During the rainy season, the flood season water level of Angat Dam is at 210 meters, while the dry season normal high water level is at 212 meters.

Ipo and La Mesa Dams – These dams are part of the Angat-Ipo-Lamesa water system. Located in Norzagaray, Bulacan, the Ipo dam water is diverted to the Novaliches portal and the La Mesa dam. The latter is situated in Fairview, Quezon City. Its main purpose is to provide water for domestic use in Greater Metro Manila.

Ambuklao Dam – Found in the mountains of Bokod, Benguet, this was designed to provide 75 MW (megawatts) of energy to the Luzon grid. Water level in Ambuklao dam also varies depending on the season. The normal high water level during dry season is at 750 meters while the flood season water level during rainy season is at 752 meters.

Binga Dam – Found in the province of Itogon in Benguet, this dam forms an impoundment on the Agno River. It’s also a hydroelectric plant that supplies power generation to nearby provinces. Binga dam maintains a 575-meter level regardless of the season.

San Roque Dam – Spanning from San Manuel and San Nicolas in Pangasinan, this is among the largest dams in the Philippines. Connected to the Tarlac River through the Agno River, the San Roque dam provides irrigation to San Manuel, Asingan, Sta. Barbara, Binalonan, Urdaneta City, Villasis, Calasiao, Mapandan, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Laoac and Malasiqui. It also supplies power generation to Luzon grid. Normal water level in San Roque dam is at 280 meters.

Magat Dam – Magat dam rests in the province of Isabela, and is located specifically in the Magat River, considered the largest tributary of the Cagayan River. As one of the largest dams in the Philippines, its primary purposes are providing irrigation and hydroelectric power to 85,000 hectares of agricultural lands in the Cagayan Valley and other parts of the Isabela province.

Caliraya Dam – Positioned along the Caliraya River in Lumban, Laguna, and this dam utilizes water in the Caliraya River Basin. The power generated from the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant is intended for the Manila power market.