The appearance of numerous lifeless specimens on the banks of the Cuesta del Viento DamIn the Iglesia department, the incident triggered an environmental alert and mobilized provincial authorities. Images captured by tourists and fishermen circulated rapidly, prompting urgent inquiries about the state of the water and the ecosystem. appearance of numerous lifeless specimens.
In response to the alarm signal, the Environment Secretariat launched the emergency protocolOn-site inspections and sample collection are underway to determine the cause of the deaths. The local community is demanding swift answers, while unfounded theories are being dismissed and technical evidence is being prioritized.
Chronology of official actions
According to official sources, following initial reports from residents and visitors, Conservation personnel conducted an initial inspection of the reservoir on Monday evening, confirming dead specimens at various points along the shoreline and submitting the report to the Biodiversity Park, the body responsible for coordinating the specialized studies.
On Tuesday morning, a technical team departed for Iglesia to carry out diagnostic work. These tasks were distributed across different sectors of the dam to obtain a representative picture of its condition. aquatic ecosystem and avoid location bias.
The samples will be analyzed in the laboratory to measure critical physicochemical parameters such as dissolved oxygenpH, temperature, and the presence of any contaminants are also checked. Simultaneously, the fish are examined to identify signs of illness, poisoning, or suffocation that may help determine the cause.
The Ministry of Environment emphasized that there will be no immediate conclusions: processing the tests requires technical time and quality controls. Until then, a current system will be maintained. preventive monitoring, with patrols and visual checks around the reservoir.
Hypotheses under study and open questions
Among the possible causes being evaluated are whether there was an abrupt change in the dam's level that could have left fish stranded on the shore, a sudden change in water temperature or composition, or the presence of some substance that affected the specimens of small size observed.
Local residents and fishermen doubt that the phenomenon is due to discarded nets, a practice they say is not common in the area. They also consider a lack of oxygen as the sole explanation unlikely, pointing out that the level of The reservoir is in optimal condition. These days; however, experts insist that only analysis will confirm or rule out each scenario.
In this context, the authorities urge caution in making definitive interpretations and advise awaiting the technical report. Any major intervention at the dam will be decided based on available data, prioritizing the to maximise security and your enjoyment. of the population.
Local voices and social climate
The news generated concern in Iglesia, where local journalists and residents demanded a swift response from the environmental authorities. They emphasized the need for water and fish sampling to dispel doubts about the situation. quality of resource that supplies the community and supports productive and recreational activities.
Local journalists reported that the first photos arrived early in the morning, mostly showing silverside fish scattered along the coast. This evidence fueled public calls for transparency and controls, in a context of high sensitivity in the event of any indication of environmental impact.
The memory of the cyanide spills in the Veladero area (2015, 2016, and 2017) remains fresh in the local consciousness and explains some of the unease. Therefore, each incident involving affected wildlife triggers alerts and demands rigorous monitoring by the authorities. environmental authorities.
Recent precedents in other reservoirs in San Juan
Previous experiences in the province serve as a technical reference. At the San AgustÃn Dam (Valle Fértil), during periods of drought, the combination of low flow, high temperaturePoor circulation and proliferation of algae led to critical declines oxygen and mortality de pecesTo mitigate the problem, recirculation equipment was used, and subsequently, a raft with a motor powered by solar panels was installed to improve oxygenation.
At the Los Cauquenes Dam (Jáchal), problems related to the drought and failures in the valve system were also recorded, which were addressed with works of refunctionalization of downloadsThese precedents reinforce the need for maintenance, monitoring, and early response to changes in water quality.
Follow-up and next steps
While laboratory analyses continue, the Cuesta del Viento Dam remains under observation. Technical teams will continue patrols and inspections, and if other affected species (birds or amphibians) are detected, they will be added to the team. supplementary samples to expand the diagnosis.
The Environment Secretariat assures that there is coordination between departments to expedite results and act accordingly. Any management measures for the reservoir will be officially communicated, with the aim of guaranteeing the environmental protection and the peace of mind of residents and visitors.
The community awaits a scientific verdict that will clarify the causes of the deaths, assign responsibility if applicable, and guide preventative measures. Until then, the importance of avoiding [unspecified dangers] is emphasized. speculation and prioritize verified information.
The episode has reignited the debate about environmental monitoring and the resilience of the San Juan reservoirs: the rapid activation of the protocol, the systematic sampling and the reference to previous cases paint a picture in which technical evidence will be key to explaining what happened in Cuesta del Viento and to support future decisions.
