May 24, 2004

Mexico: Northeast Reservoir Levels Comparatively High  

Bountiful precipitation across northeast Mexico has raised reservoir levels in that region and improved production potential for the 2004/05 crop year.  Some reservoirs released water to relieve the pressure on dams; however, localized flooding did not hamper overall field activity in the region. Regular showers since February have kept temperatures mild during a time when Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states are normally hot and dry. The steady showers made some 2004 irrigation releases unnecessary, helping to rebuild storage volume at reservoirs that were perilously low. Dry land crops benefiting from the bountiful rainfall include corn, sorghum, wheat, and possibly cotton. Irrigated vegetables as well as the limited amounts of irrigated corn, sorghum, and cotton also experienced improved development. True to their nature, growers are worried about receiving too much of a good thing -- as in the rainfall not stopping frequently enough to permit field work, or even preventing normal harvest prior to the start of the 2004 Mexico monsoon season (May through October).

Marte R. Gomez Dam State: Tamaulipas      Capacity: 924 million cubic meters     Main Associated Waterway: Rio San Juan Gomez Dam Photo Panel	Las Blancas Dam State: Tamaulipas      Capacity: Not  Available      Main Associated Waterway: Rio San Juan	Falcon Dam State: Tamaulipas      Capacity: 1,340 million cubic meters      Main Associated Waterway: Rio Bravo      Falcon Dam Photos Panel

Previous PECAD Updates 

April 10, 2001 Mexico: Summer Cotton Planted Area in Mexico Likely to Remain Low in 2001/02
June 28, 2000 Mexico: Low Reservoir levels May Impact Outlook for Cotton Yields
Visit Crop Explorer for more information on weather, soils, and crops.

For more information contact Ron White
 of  the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division, FAS at (202) 690-0137.