IN THE NEWS ALONG THE ROUTE: PANAMA CANAL TO EXPAND WATER RESERVOIR TO MANAGE TRANSITS RELIABLY
IN THE NEWS ALONG THE ROUTE: PANAMA CANAL TO EXPAND
WATER RESERVOIR TO MANAGE TRANSITS RELIABLY INTO THE FUTURE
Over the years the Panama Canal has had to restrict transits in times of drought and struggled to maintain steady flow of commercial and recreational traffic across the isthmus.ย While 2023 did not see a decrease in revenue, This decrease in overall daily transits is particularly worrisome for the prospect of maintaining the canal's vital role in global trade and Panama's economy.ย The stinking point is all about fresh water.ย The lochs depend upon freshwater and in times of draught as the amount of water available to flush through the lochs decreases, so too must the number of boats moving though decrease.ย Recently, however, Panamanian authorities approved a watershed expansion project that experts say will "Solve its Water Woes".ย The expansion project has been under consideration for over two decades.ย While it is massive in scale, capitol requirements, and repercussions Panamanian authorities believe it is the best path forward.
THE PLAN:
- Dam the Indio River and add a new reservoir that will divert freshwater to Lake Gatun and provide freshwater for human consumption.
THE TIMEFRAME:
- Current assessment: 6 years
THE CAPITAL INVESTMET
- $1.2-$2 billion including $400million relocation and in investments in neighboring communities
THE GOAL:
- According to canal administrator, Ricaurte Vasquez, the project "would provide a little more certainty to maintain 36 transits per day, a higher level of reliability for the route."
Read more about the recent watershed expansion approval here
EL VALLE DE ANTON ๐ต๐ฆ PANAMA
EL VALLE DE ANTON ๐ต๐ฆ PANAMA
The isthmus we know of as Panama is said to have formed over millions of years with the collision of two tectonic plates in the deep ocean creating a chain of volcanoes that later emerged above the sea surface.ย El Valle de Anton is a village in the crater of one such ancient volcano surrounded by mountains and clouds just north of Vista Mar Marina and Buenadventura Marina.ย For many Panamanians that live and work in Panama City, El Valle is the 'country' where they visit their family, grow and harvest fruits and vegetables, and/or spend time on the weekends in nature.
The town is located in the flat wide caldera of the 6 km wide El Valle volcano that is inactive; there is evidence that it erupted as recently as about 300,000 years ago. Because of its elevation (600 m), it is cooler than the Panamanian lowlands.ย This cooler climate is a welcome respite from the heat at lower elevations.
Natural attractions near El Valle include the Chorro El Macho waterfall, Las Mozas waterfall, the โsquareโ trees behind Hotel Campestre, and a group of small natural thermal pools. There are many developed hiking trails to walk on.ย Birding is phenomenal.ย The area around the town is also known for being one of the last habitats of the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog. Some of the forests around the town are protected areas.
The valley is very fertile and produce grows in abundance.ย There are many people living in and around El valle that sell fresh produce at an open air market in the center of town.ย In July we found a very wide variety of fruits and vegetables.ย Some I had never even seen before like this red spikey fruit sold on a branch or by the bushel.
There are two museums in El Valle de Anton as well.ย Both highlight the history, culture, biodiversity, and uniqueness of this special place in and of itself, and as it relates to Panama at large.ย One museum is older, one is quite new; while both tell the same general story, they tell it in very different ways.
A visit to El Valle de Anton is well worth the trip.