La Laguna Implements New Geological Monitoring Strategy to Prevent Urban Flooding
La Laguna has implemented a new flood management strategy that utilizes real-time geological data and groundwater monitoring to proactively maintain drainage systems during heavy rainfall.
La Laguna has adopted a new approach to managing heavy rainfall, according to the City Council and the utility company Teidagua following the recent storm, Therese. Beyond just responding to emergencies, the city is now focusing on its geological vulnerability, carefully monitoring how the ground absorbs water to prevent flooding.
Data collected during the storm shows just how quickly the local terrain reacts to rain. In just one day, groundwater levels rose by 80 centimeters in key areas like Avenida Silverio Alonso and La Constitución Park, while the Madre del Agua area saw a rise of 50 centimeters. This confirms that the Vega Lagunera acts like a natural reservoir; once the soil becomes saturated, the risk of flooding shifts to the city’s drainage systems.
To manage this, officials are closely monitoring local ravines, which serve as early warning signs for the drainage network. The watercourse near the Seminary on the Vía de Ronda has been a primary focus, as it collects runoff from the historic center. Technicians are using a network of rain gauges to track storm cells in real time, allowing them to quickly deploy cleaning and maintenance crews where they are needed most.
Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez emphasized the importance of using this real-time data to make informed decisions. Ángel Chinea, the Councilor for the Integral Water Cycle, noted that the storm caused only minor issues. Teidagua’s Braulio Domínguez credited the limited damage to proactive maintenance and the hard work of crews who kept the drainage systems running even as the ground reached its saturation point.