Reservoirs Fill Up: Mallorca Breathes a Sigh of Relief After Rainy January

Reservoirs Fill Up: After a Rainy January, Mallorca Breathes a Sigh of Relief

Gorg Blau and Cúber together at 63.72 percent; Aemet recorded unusually high precipitation

When you stroll on a damp morning through Palma's old town, you smell the wet stones of Carrer de Sant Miquel, hear the splashing of gutters and see people putting their umbrellas away. These everyday scenes reflect something bigger: the two high-mountain reservoirs that supply Palma with drinking water have recovered significantly.

The municipal utility Emaya reported that the combined reserves of Gorg Blau and Cúber stood at 63.72 percent on 9 February 2026. By comparison: a year ago the reservoirs together were at 50.88 percent. Gorg Blau itself is currently at 68.50 percent, Cúber at 56.15 percent. The recent weeks' development is also visible: a week ago levels were slightly lower, as noted in Small Rain, Big Impact? Why Mallorca's Water Balance Raises Doubts, and at the end of October 2025 they together registered only 26.32 percent – a clear sign of how much water winter storms can bring.

The national weather agency Aemet measured that around 309 liters per square meter fell in the Tramuntana last January – roughly twice as much as in an average January. Such values explain why the lakes were able to rise so quickly. However, Aemet points out that the coming week may remain unsettled; a new low-pressure system is expected on Friday and could bring further precipitation over the weekend. Anyone planning to go to the Tramuntana mountains or go hiking should monitor the forecasts.

For everyday life on the island, the better filling of the reservoirs means some relief for gardeners, businesses and households: Emaya has announced that, for the time being, it will not impose water restrictions in Palma. That is a relief – the gardens on Avinguda Jaume III and the small plots around Inca can breathe easier. At the same time, the situation is a reminder of how quickly things can change: the Mediterranean climate has dry phases, and reserves can shrink again within months.

A short look at everyday practice: at the weekly market in Santa Catalina vendors say that vegetables seem fresher this year because the soils have regained moisture thanks to the recent rains. On the mountain trails of the Tramuntana you meet hikers again who enjoy the clear layers of air after prolonged rain. These positive everyday images show why full reservoirs are not just numbers but make life on the island easier.

What remains to be done? Even though no restrictions are planned today, it is worth keeping the water habits that proved useful in summer: drip-irrigated balcony boxes instead of constant morning watering, rain barrels for outdoor watering, drip systems in the garden and promptly repairing dripping taps in apartments at Plaça Major. Municipal and private initiatives that collect rainwater or switch to water-saving irrigation help to conserve the newly gained reserves, a topic also covered in A Wet September — Still No Water Miracle for Mallorca.

Outlook: If the showers come as announced, the reservoirs could rise further. Aemet remains the reference for short-term warnings; Emaya continuously monitors storage levels, as discussed in Mallorca: Reservoirs remain conspicuously empty despite rain and snow. For the island community this means a breather, but not a reason for complacency. When you hear the rain over Palma in the morning or smell the wet asphalt on the coast, you can feel how much this water calms Mallorca's small ecosystem.

For those of us on site this means: sit outside with coffees again, put on rubber boots, enjoy the landscape – and remember that water remains a scarce resource we must preserve together.