The City Council reinforces the cleaning and surveillance of river and stream crossings due to rising water levels and rainfall forecast

The Consistory will maintain the closure of the crossings during the weekend to avoid the transit of vehicles after the opening of the Guadalmansa reservoirs.

The City Council of Estepona is reinforcing the tasks of inspection and surveillance at crossings of rivers and streams in the municipality, as well as cleaning in channels to the rising water level by the release of the Guadalmansa river and the forecast of heavy rainfall for the next few hours.

Yesterday the Consistory proceeded to the installation of fences in the crossings, after the regional administration, responsible for the two reservoirs of the Guadalmansa River, decreed the opening of the gates of both structures due to the accumulation of water resulting from rainfall in recent days.

The City Council will maintain the closure of these steps, from the area of the Castor River to Guadalmina and Guadalmansa, throughout the weekend to prevent the transit of vehicles and access of people to preserve safety. The measure affects crossings with the channels of Arroyo Infierno, Guadalobón, Cala Media, Victoria, Las Cañas and the rivers La Cala, Padrón and Guadalmansa.

Likewise, the tasks of cleaning the channels of streams and rivers that, despite having been subjected to the usual clearing works that are carried out throughout the year, may now present some obstacle dragged by the rains of recent days, are being reinforced. Special emphasis will be placed on the streams Infierno, Guadalobón, and Cala Media, and the Monterroso river.

The Consistory considers it essential to adopt these preventive measures, which could be extended if necessary, to minimize possible incidents given the weather forecast.

Cleaning campaign of riverbeds and streams

The City Council of Estepona maintains throughout the year the work of cleaning and clearing of riverbeds and streams. After the summer season break, when no action can be taken, since last September tasks have been carried out in areas of Arroyo Judío, Arroyo Hornacino de Levante, Arroyo Hornacino de Poniente, in the streams El Saladillo, Cantarranas, El Taraje, El Taraje and El Saladillo, Cantarranas, El Taraje, La Galera, Las Abejeras, La Miel, Pantoja, Dos Hermanas, Antón, Las Cañas, Vaquero, En medio, and Los Polvitos, as well as on the banks of the rivers Guadalobón, La Cala, Monterroso, Velerín and Padrón.

Thanks to these interventions carried out by the City Council every year, the obstacles that exist in the riverbeds and streams and that could prevent their normal drainage are eliminated. At the same time, the formation of blockages that could cause flooding in the event of heavy rainfall is avoided. The clearing of stream beds is also carried out with the intention of avoiding forest fires that put the neighbors and the natural heritage of the municipality at risk.

These clearing and pruning works are resumed after the summer season, since the Junta de Andalucía urges not to act from spring and during the summer on the banks of the rivers to respect the biological cycle that coincides with the laying of eggs of the fauna in the area.

It is important to remember that the City Council is only competent to act in the riverbeds that are in urban areas.

The Consistory also undertakes works for the maintenance, cleaning and clearing of rural roads, ditches and plots. During the past year, more than 100 kilometers of the entire municipality were worked on.

Although the works are mainly focused on clearing and maintenance of the banks of roads, streams and rivers, the operational services of the City Council also carry out pavement repair work, maintenance of municipal plots and private land, where they are carried out on a subsidiary basis.