{"id":5550,"date":"2026-05-04T11:13:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/?p=5550"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:21:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:21:28","slug":"el-rio-puede-volverse-salvaje","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/04\/el-rio-puede-volverse-salvaje\/","title":{"rendered":"El r\u00edo puede volverse salvaje"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Los residentes de la zona que viven a orillas del r\u00edo Chiriqu\u00ed Viejo afirman que se convierte en una bestia durante la temporada de lluvias. Se alarmaron cuando una empresa privada comenz\u00f3 repentinamente a extraer roca y grava r\u00edo arriba del puente Florentina en Paso Ancho. (Click <a href=\"#section-one\">here<\/a> for English version of this article).<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ya veremos los resultados cuando ese r\u00edo aumente su caudal, pero los que se deben dejar en la rivera es a todo el que permiti\u00f3 eso\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25&#8221;, escribi\u00f3 un usuario en Instagram.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\ud83d\ude22Lamentable&#8221;, coment\u00f3 otro. &#8220;Yo me pregunto si el impuesto y calles superar\u00e1n el valor de los da\u00f1os presentes y futuros que all\u00ed se causen o se generen. Y quienes asumir\u00e1n la responsabilidad?&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>El Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias autoriz\u00f3 a la empresa contratista, Bagatrac, a extraer 50.000 metros c\u00fabicos \u2014o entre 80.000 y 85.000 toneladas m\u00e9tricas\u2014 de material del r\u00edo. El contrato de Bagatrac finaliza el 18 de mayo. La empresa utiliza la grava del r\u00edo para reparar y pavimentar carreteras en el distrito de Tierras Altas.<\/p>\n<p>Activistas ambientales se oponen a la extracci\u00f3n porque afirman que el ecosistema del r\u00edo es fr\u00e1gil. Argumentan que excavar el lecho del r\u00edo, mover enormes rocas y cortar las riberas aumenta la erosi\u00f3n y el riesgo de inundaciones.<\/p>\n<p>Los residentes dicen que el r\u00edo ahora parece tranquilo, pero que puede volverse violento y mortal r\u00e1pidamente durante las lluvias intensas.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qPIZvBk0yvA?si=9CqjBb9OIlNGaNLc\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Expertos que han estudiado el r\u00edo afirman que su caudal var\u00eda dr\u00e1sticamente, desde 3,01 metros c\u00fabicos por segundo durante la estaci\u00f3n seca hasta 80,25 metros c\u00fabicos por segundo durante la estaci\u00f3n lluviosa. (V\u00e9ase el <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/19oHRsUHS_szVft-LFzqfM9XK0eBZxeMP\/view?usp=sharing\">estudio<\/a> sobre la din\u00e1mica fluvial del r\u00edo).<\/p>\n<p>Dicho de otra manera, cuando el caudal es m\u00ednimo, el r\u00edo tardar\u00eda 1,73 d\u00edas en llenar el estadio Rommel Fern\u00e1ndez de Panam\u00e1. Durante la estaci\u00f3n lluviosa, el r\u00edo podr\u00eda hacerlo en tan solo una hora y 34 minutos.<\/p>\n<p>Ese potencial \u2014la capacidad de mover cantidades tan enormes de agua de forma repentina, violenta y r\u00e1pida\u2014 es la raz\u00f3n por la que el r\u00edo infunde temor. Es la raz\u00f3n por la que el r\u00edo ha causado muertes y ha arrasado autom\u00f3viles, viviendas, carreteras y puentes.<\/p>\n<p>Los proyectos de extracci\u00f3n pueden afectar no solo a los residentes que viven a lo largo del r\u00edo, sino a todos los que viven en la cuenca del r\u00edo Chiriqu\u00ed Viejo.<\/p>\n<p>Se estima que 100.000 personas dependen del r\u00edo para obtener agua potable, para la agricultura y para la generaci\u00f3n de energ\u00eda hidroel\u00e9ctrica. El r\u00edo ya es uno de los cursos de agua m\u00e1s explotados de la regi\u00f3n. Es un r\u00edo que est\u00e1 siendo llevado m\u00e1s all\u00e1 de su punto de inflexi\u00f3n biol\u00f3gico y f\u00edsico.<\/p>\n<p>Los expertos afirman que la extracci\u00f3n agresiva de arena, grava y piedra aumenta la presi\u00f3n sobre el r\u00edo y puede causar:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alta turbidez: La extracci\u00f3n altera f\u00edsicamente el lecho del r\u00edo, liberando sedimentos finos que enturbian el agua. Esto puede obligar a las plantas de tratamiento de agua a suspender sus operaciones, ya que los filtros no pueden procesar altas cargas de sedimentos.<\/li>\n<li>Lixiviaci\u00f3n de metales pesados: La excavaci\u00f3n de rocas puede exponer minerales sulfurados al aire y al agua, creando un drenaje \u00e1cido de rocas que libera metales t\u00f3xicos como plomo o ars\u00e9nico al arroyo.<\/li>\n<li>Da\u00f1os estructurales: La extracci\u00f3n a gran escala altera el curso y la profundidad del r\u00edo, lo que puede da\u00f1ar las tomas de agua utilizadas por los acueductos rurales para abastecer a las comunidades locales.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-03-at-18.13.14.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-5567\" src=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-03-at-18.13.14-1024x559.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-03-at-18.13.14-1024x559.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-03-at-18.13.14-300x164.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-03-at-18.13.14-768x419.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-03-at-18.13.14.jpeg 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>El r\u00edo es una fuente de energ\u00eda para Panam\u00e1, albergando una cadena de al menos siete importantes centrales hidroel\u00e9ctricas, entre ellas Paso Ancho, Bait\u00fan y Bajo Fr\u00edo.<\/p>\n<p>Un enorme 78% del agua de la cuenca del r\u00edo se destina a estas centrales hidroel\u00e9ctricas. Estas plantas se benefician de caudales constantes y abundantes durante gran parte del a\u00f1o. Sin embargo, debido a la topograf\u00eda volc\u00e1nica de la cuenca y la escasa vegetaci\u00f3n, estas intensas lluvias pueden provocar escorrent\u00eda superficial r\u00e1pida e inundaciones.<\/p>\n<p>Estos eventos de alto caudal duran un promedio de 4 d\u00edas y pueden mover un volumen de agua inmenso. O, si prefiere la cerveza, imag\u00ednelo como m\u00e1s de 226 000 latas de cerveza por segundo. O 320 ba\u00f1eras llenas.<\/p>\n<p>Es entonces cuando el r\u00edo se convierte en una bestia desbocada, cuando los paname\u00f1os ver\u00e1n lo que le sucede a un ecosistema sobrecargado y devastado por el proyecto de extracci\u00f3n de grava.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_25357e14.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-5561\" src=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_25357e14-1024x559.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_25357e14-1024x559.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_25357e14-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_25357e14-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_25357e14.jpg 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A translation is below:<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section-one\">English version<\/h2>\n<p>Old-timers who live along the banks of the Chiriqu\u00ed Viejo River say it becomes &#8220;a beast&#8221; during the rainy season. And they were alarmed when a private contractor suddenly began extracting rock and gravel upriver from the Florentina Bridge in Paso Ancho.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll see the results when that river&#8217;s flow increases, but those who should be left on the riverbank are all those who allowed it to happen \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25,&#8221; one commenter wrote on Instagram.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\ud83d\ude22 It&#8217;s awful,&#8221; said another. &#8220;I wonder if the taxes and street repairs will exceed the value of the present and future damages caused there. And who will assume responsibility?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Ministry of Commerce and Industries allowed the contractor, a company called Bagatrac, to extract 50,000 cubic meters &#8211; or an estimated 80,000 to 85,000 metric tons &#8211; of material from the river. Bagatrac&#8217;s contract ends on May 18. The company is using the river gravel to repair and pave roads in Tierras Altas District.<\/p>\n<p>Environmental activists oppose extraction because they say the river&#8217;s ecosystem is fragile. Digging into the river bottom, moving around massive boulders and cutting into the riverbanks increases erosion and risk of flooding, they say.<\/p>\n<p>Residents say the river looks tame now, but can quickly become violent and deadly during heavy rain.<\/p>\n<p>Experts who have studied the river say its flow varies dramatically from 3.01 cubic meters per second during the dry season to 80.25 cubic meters per second during the rainy season. (See <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/19oHRsUHS_szVft-LFzqfM9XK0eBZxeMP\/view?usp=sharing\">study<\/a> on river&#8217;s fluvial dynamics).<\/p>\n<p>Put another way, when the flow rate is at its lowest, it would take the river 1.73 days to fill Panama&#8217;s Rommel Fern\u00e1ndez stadium with water. During the rainy season, the river could get the job done in just an hour and 34 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>That potential &#8211; the ability to move such massive amounts of water suddenly, violently and quickly &#8211; is why the river is feared. It&#8217;s why the river has killed people and washed away cars and homes, roads and bridges.<\/p>\n<p>Extraction projects can impact not just residents who live along the river, but everyone who lives in the Chiriqu\u00ed Viejo River basin.<\/p>\n<p>An estimated 100,000 people depend on the river for drinking water, farming and hydroelectric power. Already, the river is one of the most heavily exploited waterways in the region. It&#8217;s a river that is being pushed past its biological and physical tipping point.<\/p>\n<p>Experts say aggressive extraction of sand, gravel, and stone adds to the strain on the river, and can cause:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High Turbidity: Extraction physically disturbs the riverbed, releasing fine sediments that cloud the water. This can force water treatment plants to suspend operations because filters cannot process high sediment loads.<\/li>\n<li>Heavy Metal Leaching: Excavating rock can expose sulfide minerals to air and water, creating &#8220;Acid Rock Drainage&#8221; that leaches toxic metals like lead or arsenic into the stream.<\/li>\n<li>Structural Damage: Large-scale extraction alters the river&#8217;s path and depth, which can damage the intakes used by rural aqueducts to capture water for local communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The river is a powerhouse for Panama, hosting a &#8220;cascade&#8221; of at least seven major hydroelectric plants, including Paso Ancho, Bait\u00fan, and Bajo Fr\u00edo.<\/p>\n<p>A massive 78% of the river basin&#8217;s water is allocated to these hydroelectric operations. These plants benefit from consistent, heavy inflows for much of the year. But because of the river basin&#8217;s volcanic topography and sparse vegetation, this intense rainfall can cause rapid surface runoff and flooding.<\/p>\n<p>These high-flow events last an average of 4 days and can move a massive volume of water. Or if you prefer beer, think of it as more than 226,000 cans of beer per second. Or 320 bathtubs full of water.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s when the river converts to drunken beast mode, when Panamanians will see what happens to an overloaded ecosystem torn up by the gravel extraction project.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_ab710120.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-5559\" src=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_ab710120-1024x559.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_ab710120-1024x559.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_ab710120-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_ab710120-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_ab710120.jpg 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Los residentes de la zona que viven a orillas del r\u00edo Chiriqu\u00ed Viejo afirman que se convierte en una bestia durante la temporada de lluvias. Se alarmaron cuando una empresa privada comenz\u00f3 repentinamente a extraer roca y grava r\u00edo arriba del puente Florentina en Paso Ancho. (Click here for English version of this article). &#8220;Ya &#8230; <a title=\"El r\u00edo puede volverse salvaje\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/04\/el-rio-puede-volverse-salvaje\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about El r\u00edo puede volverse salvaje\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5560,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"generate_page_header":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[130,306],"tags":[321,307,308],"class_list":["post-5550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-panama","tag-chiriqui-viejo-river","tag-panama","tag-rio-chiriqui-viejo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5550"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5570,"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5550\/revisions\/5570"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyeaton.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}