ECOLOGICAL FLOWS

Section 4.3. of the Hydrological Plan of the Segura River Basin, “Allocation and reserves”, states the following: The question of the minimum flow rates is finally tackled, of which their special nature should be pointed out initially in the sense already indicated, since they are considered as restrictions to the exploitation system more than demands in the strict sense of the term. [......] Therefore, in order to establish this minimum rate, based on the basin exploitation experience and due to the lack of specific studies that must be carried out in the future, a flow of 4 m³/s has been determined, which is also in line with the result of the application of the French principle of 10% of the average interannual natural flow (that would be about 3 m³/s), and without taking into account the necessary dilution effect, very high in the section.

Cañón de los Almacenes, Mundo river

The real possibility of complying with this criterion is related directly with the possibility of circulation of flows, in sufficient amount, to guarantee attention to demands downriver. Since this circulation must occur at all the points in the riverbed, it will be necessary to supplement the ordinary flow rates for irrigation, with additional flows, at the right moment, so that the total is always higher than the minimum established.

Since there are no more detailed studies, an initial estimate of this supplementary volume required is about 60 million cubic metres per year, which also, in view of the lie of the basin, could be used later for irrigation. (Page 181 of the Hydrological Plan of the Segura River Basin Report).

The Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura has carried out studies for the determination of ecological flows in the fluvial sections of the basin.