The Guadalajara Reporter

Lake Chapala soaks up first rains

Barely two weeks into the 2013 rainy season, Lake Chapala is beginning to show moderate signs of recovery.

Statistics released by the National Water Commission (Conagua) indicate that the lake rose eight centimeters on the Cota elevation scale between June 13 and 26, equivalent to a gain of 76 billion cubic meters (Mm3) in its water volume.  

The total surface area of lakebed covered by water increased from 94,165 to 94,634 hectares (ha.).
Over the nine months of the 2012-2013 dry season the lake lost 1,388 ha. of its surface area. It plunged 1.45 meters in elevation, representing a 1,449 Mm3 reduction in volume.  Data compiled in the past two decades shows that the annual drop averages out to 1.11 meters.   

The most recent Conagua figures show Chapala standing at Cota 93.19 and at 36.43 percent of its full storage capacity, with a volume of 2,877 Mm3.

To keep watch on Lake Chapala’s day-to-day changes, see the Jalisco Water Commission webpage. Click on the link labeled Niveles Maximos y Minimos del Lago de Chapala to view a graph showing the lake’s yearly ups and downs between 1900 and 2012, ranging from an all time peak in 1935 to rock bottom in 1955.