Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 02/06/2026 10:08:37 PM PST by nickcarraway
Spanish civil engineers have renewed urgent warnings over the deteriorating condition of the country’s dams, as flooding linked to Storm Leonardo heightens public concern and exceptional rainfall is forecast to continue until the weekend. Experts say the storm has exposed long-standing structural weaknesses in Spain’s water infrastructure and highlighted decades of insufficient investment in safety and maintenance.
Professional engineering bodies warn that around one third of Spain’s state-owned dams require urgent structural reinforcement, while roughly half have defective bottom outlet systems, a critical component for controlling water levels during extreme weather events. They argue that the risks are growing as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall episodes.
One in Three State Dams in Need of Urgent Reinforcement
Spain has more than 1,200 large dams, one of the highest totals in Europe. Of these, 375 are directly managed by state river basin authorities. A technical assessment commissioned by engineering associations found that at least 112 of those state-run dams show serious deficiencies requiring immediate intervention to guarantee safety and operational reliability.
One-Third of Spain’s dams urgently unsafe as recent storms expose failures
The Association Caminos, which represents civil engineers specialising in roads, canals, ports and hydraulic infrastructure, has warned that these findings reflect a “progressive deterioration” of assets essential to flood control, water supply and public safety. The organisation formally called on the government in October to establish an independent body dedicated exclusively to dam safety oversight.
Structural Deficiencies Linked to Age and Maintenance Gaps Most of Spain’s large dams were constructed between the 1950s and 1970s, during a period of rapid hydraulic expansion. Many are now more than 60 years old and were designed according to engineering standards that no longer reflect modern hydrological realities.
Engineers stress that age alone does not make a dam unsafe. However, prolonged under-investment in maintenance, combined with outdated monitoring systems, concrete deterioration and a lack of structural upgrades, significantly increases risk. In many cases, reservoirs have operated for decades without comprehensive reinforcement, despite major changes in rainfall patterns, sediment accumulation and downstream population density.
Faulty Bottom Outlets Raise Flood Risk
One of the most serious concerns identified is the condition of bottom outlets, or desagües de fondo. These systems allow operators to release water from the lowest part of a reservoir, making them essential for emergency drawdown, maintenance operations and flood management.
Engineering assessments indicate that around half of Spain’s state-owned dams have bottom outlets that are partially inoperative or unable to function safely at full capacity. This limits operators’ ability to manage sudden inflows during storms, increasing the risk of overtopping and placing additional stress on dam structures.
Jesús Contreras, a spokesperson for the Association Caminos, described the situation as “aberrant” in comments to 20minutos, stating that the Ministry for Ecological Transition has around 160 dams that fail to meet required safety coefficients, alongside a similar number with serious outlet defects.
Gaps in Safety Studies and Emergency Planning
Beyond physical deterioration, engineers warn of widespread deficiencies in safety documentation. Approximately three-quarters of state-owned dams lack updated safety studies, and a similar proportion do not have approved emergency action plans.
Emergency plans are designed to coordinate responses between dam operators, civil protection services and local authorities in the event of a serious incident. Without them, evacuation procedures, warning systems and crisis communication may be delayed or ineffective, particularly in densely populated downstream areas.
While Spanish legislation requires emergency planning based on risk classification, engineers argue that implementation has been inconsistent and that many plans have not been revised for years.
Climate Change Amplifies Existing Vulnerabilities
The warnings come as Spain experiences increasingly volatile weather patterns, with prolonged droughts followed by episodes of intense rainfall. Civil engineers stress that many dams were designed for far more stable climatic conditions and now face hydrological loads exceeding historical norms.
Storm Leonardo, which entered the peninsula through the west and south, has demonstrated that dam vulnerability is not limited to traditionally flood-prone regions. Structures in areas unaccustomed to torrential rainfall may be particularly exposed if they are poorly dimensioned or inadequately equipped.
Municipal Dams in Even Worse Condition Experts say the situation is often more severe for dams owned by municipalities, provincial authorities or irrigation communities. Miguel Ángel Toledo, professor of dam engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), warned that some local authorities lack the technical and financial capacity to maintain ageing infrastructure.
According to Toledo, some municipal dams are effectively abandoned, with operators reporting that they cannot carry out essential repairs due to a lack of public funding.
Inspections Reveal Alarming Defects
Javier Caballero, a dam safety engineer with a UPM research team, said inspections have revealed spillways with insufficient capacity, blockages and even structural damage. Such failures can prevent excess water from being evacuated, increasing the risk of overtopping and potential collapse.
Caballero also cited erosion damage in earth dams, where access roads originally designed to be five metres wide have narrowed to just 1.5 metres due to wave action.
Funding Shortfall Under Scrutiny Engineering studies estimate that around €700 million per year would be required to bring Spain’s dams into optimal condition. However, the latest official accounts from 2023 show that just €16 million was allocated.
Engineers warn that continued under-investment increases long-term risk, particularly as climate pressures intensify. While they do not suggest Spain faces an imminent collapse crisis, they argue that delaying reinforcements is a dangerous gamble.
As extreme weather becomes more frequent, experts insist that proactive investment, rather than reactive repairs, will be essential to ensure Spain’s extensive dam network remains safe, resilient and fit for purpose in the decades ahead.
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
What does socialism get you?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Nothing to worry about, Spain has 500,000 new legal residents to pitch in and fix the issue in their new found country.
They just can't help themselves.
That means they have a far lower percentage than us.
When all those white people are replaced by turds there will be no need for dams.
Spanish PM announces new 1-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine
By Reuters
February 24, 20256:26 AM ESTUpdated February 24, 2025
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spanish-pm-announces-new-1-billion-euro-aid-package-ukraine-2025-02-24/
Spain rolls out $946 mln Ukraine aid package during Zelenskiy visit
By Victoria Waldersee
November 18, 20252:06 PM ESTUpdated November 18, 2025
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spain-announce-substantial-ukraine-aid-package-during-zelenskiy-visit-2025-11-18/
It seems spain has what they consider their priorities straight...
So now I suppose it’s bad that the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.
Just dam.
Where’s the dam beer?
Maybe Spain can find some damn engineers among all the new citizens they now have
Maybe the 3 million new third worlders can fix them, oh yeah and the train tracks too.
Spain needs more Muslim Geotechnical Engineers from Africa.
I thought it caused drought. Hmmm
It causes everything.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.