La Viñuela reservoir. Credit: Creative Commons
La Viñuela reservoir, the largest in the province of Malaga and essential for the Axarquia region, has now reached over 50% of its capacity for the first time in years.
According to the latest data published by Hidrosur, La Viñuela reservoir holds 82.56 cubic hectometres of water. The improvement comes after a particularly wet March, the second rainiest on record in the province, according to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). Though inflows are now tapering off, residual runoff from earlier storms continues to boost the reservoir’s reserves.
At the beginning of January 2025, La Viñuela held just 36 hm³. By mid-March, that figure had risen to 55, and by late April, it surpassed 80. A year ago, the reservoir contained just 31.56 hm³, less than half its current volume.
The recent increase in water levels marks a turning point for La Viñuela reservoir, which has been among the hardest hit by drought in recent years and was considered a “dead reservoir”. On January 16 of this year, it reached a record low, just 7%, of its total capacity, holding a mere 12.2 cubic hectometres.
The recovery of La Viñuela brings a sense of relief after a prolonged drought in the area. But authorities warn that responsible water use and long-term management will be essential for Axarquía’s supply in the coming years, especially with summer fast approaching.
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