Most of the 34 dams in the Dominican Republic were built over 30 years ago, with the oldest and smallest, Jimenoa in La Vega, some 71 years old. The newest, La Piña in Dajabón and Palomino between the provinces of San Juan de la Maguana and Azua, were inaugurated in 2020 and 2012, respectively.
Most of the remainder were built during one of the administrations of Joaquin Balaguer. These include Tavera, that supplies water to much of the central Cibao; Valdesia, that supplies water to Santo Domingo and San Cristobal; Rincon, in La Vega, which supplies irrigation water, drinking water and electricity to much of the region; and Jigüey-Aguacate in the South, also built under Balaguer. Other major projects, Hatillo, Bao, and Moncion and Sabana Yegua were done under Antonio Guzman, Salvador Jorge Blanco and Hipolito Mejia.
The dam at Monte Grande is currently under construction. There are projects to dam several other rivers, with the one on the Artibonito certain to bring controversy since this river is the main river in Haiti, although it originates inside the Dominican Republic.
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Listin Diario
12 July 2021