A Little Good News in the Drought at the Canal

[BillB48]

Of course the good news is all predicated on the ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) shifting toward neutral in the April May June time frame.  This prediction has allowed the Canal to maintain the 24 per day lockages through the Dry Season which normally ends at the end of April.  Plans had been in place to reduce lockages to 20 per day and then on to 18 per day.

 

From  gCaptain... https://gcaptain.com/end-of-el-nino-could-bring-relief-for-panama-canal-water-crisis/

 

From NOAA...

 

[Mike B Landlubber]

It doesn’t address this news, but this video has an interesting explanation of the drought situation. It’s not as melodramatic as the teaser makes you think!

 

 

[BillB48]

Finally got around to watching the video, it probably is one of the better ones that I have watched recently.  A lot of the others are not much more than hand wringing, the world is going to end click bait.

[dmwnc1959]

3 hours ago, BillB48 said:

Finally got around to watching the video, it probably is one of the better ones that I have watched recently.  A lot of the others are not much more than hand wringing, the world is going to end click bait.

GREAT video, especially loved the first half with the historical presentation. Learned a LOT of new facts! 

[BillB48]

Seems the ACP is putting more confidence in a timely return of the Rainy Season forecasts.  They have increased the amount of permitted daily transits from 24 to 27 beginning the week of March 18.

 

[BillB48]

I suppose this is not the best time to talk about the bad news of the lower lake levels at Gatun.  The link to gCaptain below not only addresses the drought, but also speaks to what has become the 800 lb gorilla in the room.  That is the increased salinity of Gatun Lake, which is something they have been concerned about even before the troubles caused by this years El Nino induced drought.

 

In the article it describes the salinity levels reached 0.35ppt four years after the new locks opened and there was concern that the levels could go higher before the Rainy Season kicks back in.  The concerns have become a reality.

 

https://gcaptain.com/the-panama-canal-averts-a-crisis-for-now-but-at-a-cost-to-drinking-water/