The Alcolea dam in Huelva, designed to meet agricultural water needs, remains unfinished despite recent heavy rains that could have filled it multiple times.
In the last year, the province of Huelva has experienced extraordinary rainfall, which, if the Alcolea dam were completed, could have filled it three times, providing 690 cubic hectometers of water for agricultural use, particularly benefiting crops like red fruits and alleviating the over-exploited aquifers of Doñana. The Alcolea dam was specifically designed to address the water needs of the Andévalo, Condado, and surrounding areas of Doñana, in addition to reducing flood risks in Huelva, particularly in areas such as Gibraleón, which is historically prone to river floods.
However, the reality remains stark as the Alcolea dam, which began construction in 2007, is still merely an unfinished concrete structure that not only lacks the flood protection intended but also exacerbates the risk of flooding in the area. This underlines significant issues with water resource management in the region, as the dam's completion has stagnated and left local agriculture without the necessary infrastructure to thrive during periods of heavy rain, while also failing to provide flood control benefits.
The stagnation of the Alcolea dam's construction reflects broader systemic challenges in the management of water resources in southern Spain, emphasizing the disconnect between rainfall events and infrastructural readiness. As the agricultural sector continues to rely on rainfed capabilities, the need for functional water storage systems becomes ever more pressing as local farmers face uncertainty over both flood and drought conditions due to climate variability.
