Dr Abe V Rotor
![]()
Profile of the Angat-Ipo-Lamesa water systemAngat Dam completed in 1967 is situated in Norzagaray, Bulacan. It has a total water storage capacity of 850 million cubic meters and supplies 81.4 percent of the total output of the system. Downstream 7.5 kilometers away is Ipo Dam completed in 1984.has a share of 12%. It diverts the water to Novaliches on to La Mesa Dam, which contributes 3.4 percent..
But aerial view may be deceiving even on a clear day. The water complex has passed its golden years, so to speak. Its decline is apparently visible at ground level, and to an investigative mind, there are perils ahead, but adamantly admitted.
First in the shrinking and thinning watershed as a result of encroachment, illegal logging, swiden or kaingin farming, or simply slash-and-burn, illegal settlements right in the heart of the watershed.
Second, pollution as in the case of the Payatas landfill, QC's version of Manila's Smokey Mountain. Because of the closeness of the open dump site, tons and tons of carbon and poisonous and obnoxious gases, and leachete underground find their way into the reservoirs. A petition initiated by the QC local government and residents has been filled with the Supreme Court to close Payatas landfill. (PDI March 2015)
Third, Global Warming has reduced rainfall over the watershed complex in the last two decade or so, necessitation emergency cloud seeding as water level fall to critical level. Dry air sucks moisture from both reservoir and watershed.
Fourth, the cyclical El Niño which now occurs on closer interval threatens water supply. There is no in-place augmentation outside the system to fill up the deficiency. Even underground water is affected by the phenomenon. By the way 2015 is a minor El Nino year, which occurs at the middle of the main 7- or 8-year cycle reminiscent of the biblical seven years famine, followed by 7 years of plenty.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Living with Nature - School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio
738 DZRB AM, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday
From the Sierra Madre mountains a series of water reservoirs - Angat, Ipo, La Mesa - makes a picturesque from the air of a living artery of Nature's wondrous water cycle. Cloud forms and condenses into rain, and funneled by their vast watersheds, and stored in man-made dams for the use of millions of residents mainly in Metro Manila.
Call it an engineering feat, an ideal profile of ecology, seat of rich biodiversity, source of inspiration of lovers and artists, an attraction to tourists. It's all of the above answer because water, other than being basic to life, makes the living world beautiful. It connects the land, air and sea, into a biosphere, the only known living planet in the whole universe.
Profile of the Angat-Ipo-Lamesa water systemAngat Dam completed in 1967 is situated in Norzagaray, Bulacan. It has a total water storage capacity of 850 million cubic meters and supplies 81.4 percent of the total output of the system. Downstream 7.5 kilometers away is Ipo Dam completed in 1984.has a share of 12%. It diverts the water to Novaliches on to La Mesa Dam, which contributes 3.4 percent.. But aerial view may be deceiving even on a clear day. The water complex has passed its golden years, so to speak. Its decline is apparently visible at ground level, and to an investigative mind, there are perils ahead, but adamantly admitted.
First in the shrinking and thinning watershed as a result of encroachment, illegal logging, swiden or kaingin farming, or simply slash-and-burn, illegal settlements right in the heart of the watershed.
Second, pollution as in the case of the Payatas landfill, QC's version of Manila's Smokey Mountain. Because of the closeness of the open dump site, tons and tons of carbon and poisonous and obnoxious gases, and leachete underground find their way into the reservoirs. A petition initiated by the QC local government and residents has been filled with the Supreme Court to close Payatas landfill. (PDI March 2015)
Third, Global Warming has reduced rainfall over the watershed complex in the last two decade or so, necessitation emergency cloud seeding as water level fall to critical level. Dry air sucks moisture from both reservoir and watershed.
Fourth, the cyclical El Niño which now occurs on closer interval threatens water supply. There is no in-place augmentation outside the system to fill up the deficiency. Even underground water is affected by the phenomenon. By the way 2015 is a minor El Nino year, which occurs at the middle of the main 7- or 8-year cycle reminiscent of the biblical seven years famine, followed by 7 years of plenty.
Arial view of La Mesa reservoir and watershed being reduced by fast expanding settlements and commercial establishments which threaten its holding capacity and water quality. Greater Lagro lies close to its lower watershed. on the right.
Located in Novaliches, Quezon City, La Mesa Dam was built in 1929. It houses the reservoir where emergency water source is stored. Water from the Novaliches Portal is conveyed through three open channels, namely La Mesa Treatment Plants 1 and 2, as well as the Balara Treatment Plant.
The La Mesa Ecopark is famous for its natural beauty and terrain, a favorite spot for family picnic, educational and entertainment programs, hiking and and biking.
