Ricaurte Vásquez Morales: Safeguarding the Panama Canal’s Water Supply

Ricaurte Vásquez Morales: A Guardian of Water

Ricaurte Vásquez Morales is a man deeply captivated by the significance of water. He frequently checks an app on his phone that tracks the fluctuating levels of Lake Gatún, the crucial artificial reservoir that underpins the entire Panama Canal system. His obsession resembles that of a gambling enthusiast monitoring the latest football scores, always alert and attentive. “I adore a rainy day,” he confides, reflecting his reliance on weather patterns.

As the administrator of the Panama Canal, Mr. Vásquez Morales oversees an essential artery for global trade and the economic lifeblood of his isthmus nation. The canal facilitates the movement of over half of the container cargo traveling between Asia and the East Coast of the United States, carving a vital shortcut through the lush Central American jungle and linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

However, the canal’s operations faced significant challenges last year when a severe drought caused water levels in the lake to plummet to critical lows. This situation compelled canal authorities to impose restrictions on traffic. At the peak of the crisis in December, only 22 ships were permitted to transit the canal each day, a stark drop from the typical range of 36 to 38 vessels. Consequently, more than 160 ships found themselves anchored and waiting at both ends of the canal.

Fortunately, the arrival of rain in May has enabled canal authorities to lift most of these restrictions, allowing an average of 35 ships to navigate the canal daily in recent weeks. Nevertheless, officials remain acutely aware that this relief may only be temporary. They are now grappling with a new reality shaped by climate change and the frequent onset of El Niño, a phenomenon characterized by rising ocean temperatures and diminishing rainfall. As a result, the focus has shifted to expanding water storage capabilities to ensure the sustainability of this vital waterway.

• Lake Gatún serves as the cornerstone of the Panama Canal system.
• The canal plays a key role in global trade, particularly between Asia and the U.S. East Coast.