After a year of studying the behavior of the rivers Reventazón, Parismina, Madre de Dios, Pacuare, and Jiménez, in the province of Limón, it was determined that the construction of two dams is urgent to avoid emergencies due to flooding in 79 communities.
The National Commission of Emergencies (CNE) and the National Water Service (SENARA), were in charge of these works, and they presented a Flood Prevention Plan in 79 communities to President Carlos Alvarado.
The hydrological, hydraulic and topographic studies allowed to identify that the interaction of the five rivers causes problems.
What can be done?
In Matina: in the basin of the Madre de Dios River, the construction of a two kilometer dike and two extensions of channels in 13.5 km.
In Siquirres: for the basins of Pacuare and Madre de Dios, the construction of five dams, with a total length of 24 km, and a one-kilometer deviation of a river.
On the Reventazón River: a natural corridor for a 30-kilometer flood is being proposed in order to control the effect of the floods and mitigate the consequences.
The cost of the first works in Matina and Siquirres would be ¢2,730 million.
The manager of (SENARA), Patricia Quirós, said that the studies represent an important input for the municipalities, as support in making decisions on the regulatory planning of land use, in order to protect human life.
On the other hand, the authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, stressed that this study is a reference to intervene in other population areas of the country that have constant flood problems.