Panama Canal water levels steady again following record dry season

The Gatun Lake’s water levels can now accommodate a steady 45 ft draught, easing the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) worries, after it implemented water saving measures less than three months ago to cope with the fifth driest year at the canal in 70 years.

Water levels are higher than projected for the start of the rainy season, which is expected to begin in mid-May.

Panama’s rainy season official start date will be determined by various environmental factors, such as wind speed, rainfall in the watershed, ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Panama, among other metrics.