Key Facts
- ✓ The Marimbondo reservoir is currently at 18.91%, the lowest level in the country.
- ✓ In January 2025, the reservoir level was nearly 80%.
- ✓ Local tourism operators report that the movement of visitors has practically ceased.
- ✓ The Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (Aneel) has declared a 'green flag' for the energy sector.
Quick Summary
The reservoir at the Marimbondo hydroelectric plant in Icém, São Paulo, has registered the lowest water level in the country. Current data places the level at 18.91%, a dramatic decrease compared to the 79.23% recorded on the same date in the previous year.
This low water volume is occurring despite the region being in a typical rainy season. The Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico (ONS) confirmed the statistics, which highlight a critical environmental and economic situation for the area. The lack of water has forced local tourism services to halt operations, as the river usually fills in January, attracting tourists for fishing.
While the visual impact is evident with exposed sandbanks, the Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (Aneel) has not reported immediate risks to energy generation. The current period is classified under a 'green flag,' ensuring no surcharge on electricity bills for consumers.
📉 Record Low Water Levels
The Marimbondo hydroelectric reservoir is currently facing a historic deficit in water volume. Data released by the Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico (ONS) indicates that the reservoir is at 18.91% of its capacity. This figure represents the lowest level among all reservoirs in the country at this time.
Comparing current data with historical records reveals a drastic change. On January 8, 2025, the reservoir level was recorded at 79.23%. However, the current level of 18.91% is even lower than the figures from January 2022, which stood at 14.50%, and January 2021, at 16.09%.
The specific measurements provided for the current period include:
- Level: 432 meters
- Percentage: 18.91%
The situation is particularly unusual because it is occurring in January, a month historically characterized by increased rainfall and rising river levels in the region.
🌊 Environmental and Tourism Impact
The drastic reduction in water volume has transformed the landscape of the reservoir basin. Visitors to the area on Tuesday, January 13, observed the formation of extensive sandbanks and exposed fields where water should be present. The lack of water has effectively halted the river's flow in certain areas.
Local tourism, which relies heavily on the rainy season, has suffered a severe blow. The period usually marks the peak of visitor numbers seeking to fish for species such as porquinho, tucunaré, and corvina. These species are popular because they can be caught even during the Piracema (spawning season).
Representatives from local inns and fishing guides reported that the movement of visitors has practically zeroed out. The economic impact on the municipality of Icém is immediate, as the region depends on this seasonal influx of tourism revenue.
⚡ Energy Generation Status
Despite the alarming low water levels, the outlook for electricity generation remains stable for the moment. The Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (Aneel) has classified the current period as a bandeira verde (green flag).
This classification indicates that the conditions for energy generation are favorable and that there will be no additional impact on consumers' electricity bills. The green flag suggests that the hydroelectric system is currently operating within parameters that do not require the activation of more expensive thermal power plants.
Questions regarding the potential long-term risk to energy generation were directed to the Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico (ONS). However, as of the latest updates, the ONS had not provided a specific response regarding the risks associated with the current water volume.
