Due to doubts expressed through social networks, Coopeguanacaste R.L. said that during the emergency of hurricane Otto, all security protocols were activated in hydroelectric plants located in Upala Bijagua and Canalete.
There were unofficial versions that accused of an alleged mismanagement of these plants, which would have a negative impact on the emergency. However, the institution explained the situation.
According to Coopeguanacaste R.L., the dams located in Bijagua and Canalete are branches. it means that it takes the water it needs to generate electricity and the rest go through the spillway to continue its natural course.
Upala suffered from Otto’s impacts due to the flood of Zapote River, which borders the center of that canton.
In the case of November 24th, Bijagua and Canalete hydroelectric plants stopped operating at 5:00 pm, which means that the plants did not provide more water to Zapote river after that time, the water remained stored,
explained the cooperative, in response to a query.
These dams, unlike other hydroelectric plants, are not damming the river. This means that behind the dam and the floodgates, there are not millions of cubic meters of water.
After several overflights carried out in the wake of Otto, the cooperative said that the water levels of the reservoirs were maintained at the maximum operating level, which means there was no release of water during the onslaught of the hurricane.
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