Why Reservoir Storage Levels Can Be Lower Than Last Year
Reservoir storage is determined by many factors other than the amount of rainfall. It is determined by the equilibrium between the inflow of water into the reservoir and the usage of water or its release during the year.
The storage level can be less than it was during the last year because of reduced rainfall or snowfall, increased temperatures leading to higher evaporation rates, and increased water consumption for agricultural purposes, industrial purposes, and for supporting growing settlements.
Water can also be discharged from reservoirs for providing drinking water, irrigating crops, producing hydroelectric power, flood protection, and ensuring good ecosystem of the rivers.
Climate variability is one more factor which complicates water management because of changing patterns of precipitation, long-term droughts, and more frequent extreme events.
Decreasing storage level does not necessarily mean bad management—it often reflects the ongoing struggle of water management.
