• The automatic hydrological information system (SAIH) will increase from 116 to 124 control points in the Miño-Sil Demarcation, while the water quality system (SAICA) will expand its stations from 18 to 20

The Minho-Sil River Basin Authority increases the SAIH and SAICA control points in the international demarcation of the rivers Miño, Sil and Limia.

The European POCTEP RISC_PLUS project, focused on strengthening the resilience of the transboundary Miño and Limia basins in the face of climate change, has taken important steps in the implementation of automatic hydrological and water quality information systems, drought analysis and flood forecasting. These actions consolidate its commitment to sustainable water management adapted to current challenges.

Currently the automatic hydrological information system (SAIH) has 116 control points in the Miño-Sil district, which will increase to 124 by the end of the project. Similarly, the automatic water quality information system (SAICA), which has 18 stations, will increase to 20 once RISC_PLUS is completed.

To date, the work has been completed and the stations located on the Narla river in Friol (Lugo), Quiroga river in Quiroga (Lugo) and Tamuxe river in O Rosal (Pontevedra) are in operation. In addition, two more stations are at an advanced stage of execution, with the civil works practically completed, located on the Sil river in Toreno (León) and on the Lobios river in Lobios (Ourense). For their part, the Portuguese partners are carrying out administrative work to complete the surveillance network in their territory, guaranteeing a coordinated and cross-border approach.

‘It is important to remember that through the SAIH stations we obtain information about our watercourses, in real time, based on the capture, transmission and processing of the values adopted by the most significant hydrometeorological and hydraulic variables; the sensors at these control points are located in very specific geographical locations and studied in order to obtain precise data to aid decision-making,’ explained José Antonio Quiroga, president of the CHMS.

The project is also progressing in the development of a Joint Special Drought Plan, which is already collecting key data and using weather forecasts to create protocols to diagnose and manage scenarios of prolonged drought and cyclical shortages.

Similarly, we have begun collecting relevant data and planning scenarios using meteorological and hydrological forecasts, which will enable us to develop detailed protocols for the assessment and management of drought risk in the international district.

‘The project will continue to work on the integration of new control points in the Portuguese part of the demarcation, thus reinforcing the collaborative approach. In addition, it is planned to complete the digitisation work and expand the protocols for a more effective and coordinated management of hydrological risks, as well as to continue with the identification of the socio-economic sectors most affected by changes in the future hydrological regime,’ added the president.

‘RISC_PLUS began in July 2023 and is scheduled for completion in June 2026, with a budget of 1.6 million euros, of which to date more than 50% has been executed. The progress of the RISC_PLUS project reaffirms its commitment to water innovation and sustainability, positioning itself as a benchmark in the cross-border management of risks associated with climate change,’ Quiroga emphasised.

‘The Interreg VA Spain-Portugal programme (POCTEP) promotes cross-border cooperation projects with the support of the European Union, which facilitates and encourages the development of joint work on strategic projects essential for prevention and preparedness against extreme phenomena, advancing digitisation for adequate water management in the international district,’ concluded the president.