Academy of Engineering warns about risks in the containment dams on the Eastern Coast of Lake Maracaibo

The National Academy of Engineering and Habitat called due to a potential risk of disaster if preventive work is not done on sections of the protection dikes built on the Eastern Shore of Lake Maracaibo.

Through a statement published on their website, they explain that oil extraction in the Maracaibo basin has caused a phenomenon called subsidence, which is characterized by a progressive sinking of the land.

«Such an effect forced, in 1932, to begin the project and construction of a protection system made up of earth containment dikes, duly designed, in order to prevent flooding situations in the areas occupied by the population and by the activity. oil company,” they explained.

However, they added that «currently the oil facilities and large inhabited areas are located about 5-6 meters below the level of the lake, with an area of ​​approximately 11,300 hectares and with a population of around 100,000 inhabitants.s. For these reasons, it is extremely important, among other activities, to follow up and monitor the existing containment dams for their corresponding geometric and technical modifications.

Risks with containment dikes on the Eastern Coast of Lake Maracaibo

Due to the consequences that this situation could bring, the academy has prepared some recommendations:

“Maintain effective risk management, both for monitoring the behavior of the containment dams, and for the management of lake, river and rainwater, and the maintenance of the network of drainage channels in optimal conditions.”

They consider that this management should be aimed at identifying natural, anthropogenic and electromechanical threats. In addition, vulnerabilities must be analyzed, the implementation of new protection measures quantified, acceptable risk levels established and action strategies defined.