Within the framework of the annual meeting of the Ñuble River Surveillance Board (JVRÑ), held in San Carlos, its president, Fernando Rueda, gave an account of the 2023-2024 management, highlighting as main milestones the work carried out to carry out the irrigation season following the two floods of the Ñuble River in 2023, in addition to the efforts surrounding the Nueva La Punilla Reservoir project. Progress on the master plan was also addressed, which includes the installation of self-managing gates in the canals and advice to users to register their actions in the DGA’s Public Water Registry.
“Our organization’s efforts have been validated, mainly in the rehabilitation work of part of the infrastructure and canals damaged by last year’s floods. In addition, the challenges were outlined, focusing on pushing with greater force the most important project in the region: the Nueva La Punilla reservoir, a project announced by President Gabriel Boric in his last public report,” said Rueda.
The leader stressed that the JVRÑ managed to raise nearly $3 billion for rehabilitation work on the canals.
“Thanks to the hard work of the irrigators and this Monitoring Board, plus the essential collaboration of the authorities, we overcame the last irrigation season. However, the recent rains have increased the flow of the Ñuble River, although moderately, which fortunately has not caused significant damage. However, this event underlines the importance of being prepared for future floods. We urgently call on the Ministry of Public Works to coordinate and accelerate the pending rechanneling works, which are known to the authorities,” he said.
At the meeting, part of the board of directors was renewed, with the incorporation of Raúl Montecinos. In this way, the board was made up of Fernando Rueda, Alfredo Wahling, Vicente Pezantes, Andrés Rueda, Roberto Riquelme, Cristian Contreras and Raúl Montecinos.
New La Punilla Reservoir
Rueda said that, “we have a scenario ahead of us that, although not the best, persistent, methodical and organized work has allowed us to keep the project going. We would certainly like to go further, and regardless of the continuous extensions, we believe that we cannot give up.”
Rueda recalled that the current tender is fully in force, as is the environmental qualification resolution (RCA). “We know that the progress of this desire is not in our hands, but at the same time, we continue to trust that the urgency, given the current situation caused by the drought, will ultimately prove us right,” he said.
Master plan
Regarding the execution of the JVRÑ master plan, which includes the installation of self-managing gates, this technology was installed in the San Agustín Changaral and Ranchillo Gaona y Perales canals in 2023, while for 2024 the execution of two works is planned in the Santa Rosa Norte and Quilelto-Ferrada canals.
“The Board has supported 21 projects of the Irrigation Law for the automation of floodgates, which implies an approximate investment of $8.45 billion,” Rueda estimated.
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