January 9, 2015
Developing story at Chilefarms: the water supply to the farm, abundant in previous years, began to diminsh last year and continues to be questionable this year. As a measure to prevent shortage, Ricardo has hired a company to enlarge the "tranque" (reservior) that is used to irrigate the orange trees.
The water saga, like the Aconcagua River, has twists and turns and drama to boot. Over the next few posts, pt at large will attempt to illuminate the dimensions of the problem.
Large bucket excavator and a front-end loader have been enlarging the "tranque" (reservoir) since Monday (the original size is contained behind the levee seen at right of photo above).
They have finished for the day Friday afternoon. Ricardo hired a mason to construct an adjustable gate that will allow water to flow into the reservoir when water flows down the valley waterways one day a week, Sunday in Nogales.
LEFT The new gate. The canal, dry until Sunday, is to the right of planks above. RIGHT The dry canal bed at left and the new portal into the reservoir visible top right.
Dry canal bed heading toward the new reservoir. View from the farm of the earth piled up from excavating the tranque (reservoir). The heavy equipment operators will finish excavating tomorrow, Saturday. Just in time. Water released from Los Andes in the mountains to the north will flow through the canal Sunday.
Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
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