The recent floods in Rio Grande do Sul have raised discussions about ways to speed up the flow of water from the Guaíba, which flows into Lagoa dos Patos, in the southern region of the state.
One of the alternatives evaluated is the construction of an emergency canal to connect Lagoa dos Patos directly to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing excess water to be drained more quickly.
The Climate and Environment analyst at CNN , Pedro Côrtes, explains that this channel should not be permanent, as it could harm the normal flow of water to the south of the lagoon and cause silting, making navigation difficult. Instead, he suggests that the channel only be opened in emergency situations.
Another option would be to build dams on the tributaries of the Guaíba, allowing more efficient control of water flow during extreme events. Côrtes points out that a single dam would not solve the problem, but a system of dams could regulate the flow and prevent flooding downstream.
Environmental impacts
Any solution adopted will have environmental impacts that need to be carefully evaluated, according to Côrtes. Opening a channel to the ocean could make Lagoa dos Patos brackish, mixing fresh and salt water. Furthermore, dam construction also brings its own environmental challenges.
Côrtes emphasizes that there is no magic solution and that all options need to be discussed and evaluated correctly, taking into account the long-term impacts. The goal is to not only deal with the current situation, but also increase the state's resilience in the face of future extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.
Source: CNN Brasil
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