The El Palote dam in León is making headlines again after enduring nearly two years of drought that left the reservoir practically dry. With the arrival of recent rains, the water level has improved significantly , allowing not only for the restoration of the Metropolitan Park area but also for the reactivation of local fishing activity.
The return of water has been a cause for optimism among fishermen, who have not only waited patiently for the reservoir to be filled, but have also been involved in the cleaning process removing dozens of tons of accumulated garbage. This commitment to restoring the ecosystem has been essential to preparing the ground for the next sowing de peces.
Plan to repopulate the dam: relocation and planting of new species
La Collaboration between fishermen, authorities and local communities has allowed us to design a strategy so that the sowing de peces be a realityIn a first stage, they will be moved between 1,000 and 1,500 copies from the lake of the El Molino subdivision, where there is a overpopulation de peces suitable for repopulation from the El Palote dam.
To organize this effort, the 22 registered fishermen will form teams: some will be responsible for transporting the fish, while others will directly supervise their release into the reservoir. Regarding these actions, MarÃa Fernanda RodrÃguez , the municipal head of Economic Reactivation, explained that the relocated fish are already large enough to ensure efficient reproduction and will allow fishing to resume in the area within six months.
In addition, the stocking of up to 50,000 fingerlings of species such as carp and tilapia is planned , far exceeding the numbers stocked last year, which barely reached 5,000. The goal is to consolidate a stable ecosystem to ensure the sustained return of fishing activity.
Current conditions of the dam and institutional support
Currently, the El Palote dam is at approximately 34% of its capacity , according to reports from the León Water and Sewerage System (SAPAL). The June rains have been key to the reservoir beginning to recover its levels, although the process will be gradual and will depend on continued rainfall in the coming weeks.
During the most critical phase of the drought, the Fishermen received financial and food support by the city council, allowing them to survive until the activity could be reestablished. Vessels like fishermen have official records, which facilitates the management and monitoring of actions aimed at repopulation de peces.
The cooperation of entities such as the Rural Development Directorate and the El Molino subdivision itself has been essential in coordinating the transfer. de peces and ensure that the aquatic life cycle is successfully restored. The goal is for introduced populations to be able to reproduce effectively, ensuring that the El Palote dam becomes a healthy and productive habitat again for local communities.
Ecological challenge and citizen participation
The progressive filling of the dam has attracted numerous visitors and revitalized the wildlife that depends on this ecosystem. However, the accumulation of waste and the diversion of water into some streams continue to be challenges to the sustainability of the environment.
For this reason, representatives of the fishermen emphasize the importance of preventing the dumping of trash in streams and surrounding areas. They have requested greater public commitment to keeping waterways clean and ensuring the long-term conservation of both aquatic life and the natural environment where they work.
The social and environmental recovery of the El Palote dam is underway, with the active participation of institutions, fishermen, and local residents . The actions being taken not only aim to revitalize the local economy but also to consolidate a model of responsible natural resource management.
