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If you think that Santa Catarina is not serious about fighting floods, it's time to rethink your ideas! With a multi-million dollar investment that exceeds R$300 million, the state government has begun an audacious project: the construction of a new dam and a series of renovations and improvements to reinforce the containment structures. After last year's heavy rains that flooded cities and left a trail of damage, the state decided to roll up its sleeves and invest heavily to prevent the flooding nightmare from happening again.
At the heart of this prevention project are the construction of dams, major renovations, and strategic river cleanups. Since October and November 2023, the state has experienced some of its worst flooding in years, especially in the Alto Vale, and the urgency for more robust measures has become clear. The construction of new dams has stood out as a priority, with two new dams planned for Mirim Doce and Botuverá and a sixth structure planned for the Perimbó River in Petrolândia, budgeted at an impressive R$72,3 million.
Million-dollar investment and the construction of new dams
Os investments to contain floods exceed R$ 200 million, with the execution of bids for two dams and the construction of a new structure on the Perimbó River. With the capacity to store more than 3,5 billion liters of water, this sixth dam in Petrolândia will play an essential role in containing water during critical periods of rain. To ensure that the work complies with environmental standards, a R$3,8 million call for proposals was launched for the Basic Environmental Plan (PBA), essential for minimizing environmental impacts during the different phases of construction.
In Mirim Doce, the dam that will be built on the Taió River has a budget of R$93,1 million and should contribute to controlling flooding in the region. In Botuverá, the investment reaches R$155 million. This specific project was developed based on joint studies with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which reinforced the need for new dams for local safety.
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Dam reforms and the focus on modernization
In addition to the construction of new dams, the government announced renovations to the Sul Dam in Ituporanga, a structure that had not received significant improvements in 50 years. Budgeted at R$23 million, the renovation includes replacing the floodgates, restoring the electrical system and modernizing it with automation, allowing the Civil Defense to operate the dam remotely. The deadline for completion is 330 days, according to the government.
Cleaning and dredging of rivers in the Alto Vale
Another important aspect of combating flooding is the cleaning and dredging of rivers, with investments of R$16,2 million in the removal of sediments from the Itajaí-Açu River in Rio do Sul. The project covers a stretch of over 8 km and aims to stabilize banks and slopes using sustainable techniques. The service is expected to last about six months, after some delays due to flooding earlier this year.
O government also opened bids for dredging of stretches on the Itajaí do Oeste and Pombas rivers, with an estimated budget of R$9,9 million, addressing sediment removal and bank stabilization to improve water flow and reduce flood risks.
Public participation and new operations manual
In an unprecedented move, Civil Defense held a public consultation on the dam operations manual, allowing residents, technicians and community representatives to share their opinions and concerns regarding the construction. This initiative aims to improve operational guidelines to ensure greater safety and efficiency in dam operations throughout the state.
With the launch of new projects and millions of dollars invested in flood control, Santa Catarina is moving towards strengthening its protection infrastructure, protecting the population and minimizing the risks of natural disasters. The expectation is that these initiatives will bring lasting results and avoid the damage and losses faced in the 2023 floods.
