Colbún S.A. announced that starting September 3 at 10:00 am, it will begin a gradual, controlled spillway release at the Colbún Reservoir, with an initial flow of around 50 m3/s. The move comes as the reservoir sits at 97.4% capacity and aims to free up storage space ahead of rising inflows and forecasted rain in the coming days. The company reiterates its call for residents to stay away from the banks of the Maule River, and states it maintains ongoing monitoring of weather and hydrological conditions in coordination with authorities, committing to promptly share the exact day and time once confirmed.
Colbún S.A. reports that starting today, September 3, at 10:00 am, a spillway release will take place at the Colbún Reservoir as part of normal plant operations. It would begin with a limited flow of around 50.0 m3/s. As of today, the Colbún Reservoir is at 97.4% of its capacity.
In this way, the goal of starting a gradual and controlled release is to expand the reservoir's storage capacity ahead of higher inflows and the rainfall forecast for the coming days. Furthermore, the water flowing downstream of the Reservoir (generated water plus released water) will always be equal to or less than the inflow it receives.
(For more information on the role of the reservoir, see this link https://youtu.be/hqxT_XvHFso).
Safeguards
We reiterate the call to safeguard people's safety and to stay away from the banks of the Maule River along its entire length.
Colbún's Commitment
Colbún maintains ongoing monitoring of weather conditions, inflows to the reservoir, and water level behavior, in coordination with the relevant authority. As soon as there is greater certainty about the day and time of the release, this information will be promptly communicated to residents and the corresponding authorities.
