What work is planned at the dam?
The work at the La Encantadora dam includes replacing the existing valves. The drainage and emptying systems will also be adapted to comply with current regulations.
The electrical installations as well as the dam's measuring and monitoring equipment will also be renewed. These measures are intended to improve the safety of the facility and make the control of water resources for irrigation more efficient.
The dam is located in the municipality of Vallehermoso in the north of La Gomera. According to the Canary Islands government, it plays an important role for the island's agriculture because it stores rainwater in winter.
Improving the systems for measuring, controlling and managing inflows and outflows into the distribution networks is a central part of the project. This mainly benefits the irrigated agricultural land in the dam's catchment area.
Why is the refurbishment necessary?
The dams on La Gomera perform a fundamental function for the sustainability of irrigation. They collect surface water in the winter months and store it for later use in agriculture.
The existing facilities must be adapted to the legal requirements in the areas of safety, control and management.
The modernisation of the measuring and monitoring systems is regarded as a fundamental element for optimising water resources and gradually modernising irrigation on the island. The government stresses the technical complexity of the infrastructure.
Who is affected?
The measure is primarily aimed at the safety and functionality of the water infrastructure and at the irrigation supply. The official information does not mention any new water prices, usage rules or access requirements.
No guaranteed additional water volume is promised for agriculture or private households in the source. There is also no information about possible interruptions to the water supply during the construction period.
For foreign residents or visitors, the published statement brings no immediate changes. The dam is not a tourist attraction, but a technical facility.
What is the state of funding?
The 850,000 euros is provided for in the 2026 budget of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The money therefore comes from the regional budget, not from the municipality of Vallehermoso or the Cabildo of La Gomera.
The total committed budget for improving and modernising irrigation infrastructure in the archipelago amounts to 28.26 million euros, according to the government.
The declaration as a matter of interest for the Autonomous Community is a mandatory preparatory step. Only after this can the tendering and execution of the works take place.
What is still open?
No specific tender date, start of construction or completion date is given in the government statement. There are also no individual dates for the further irrigation projects announced for the 2026 to 2027 period.
The source provides no information on construction phases or possible traffic disruption in the area around the dam. Nor is the distribution of funds broken down by individual measure.
The government stresses that the project is technically complex.
The official planning documentation identifies La Encantadora as a dam connected to the supply and irrigation system of La Gomera.
What happens next after the decision?
After the project has been declared a matter of interest for the Autonomous Community, the administrative process can continue. The government has not published a timetable for this.
For agriculture on La Gomera, the refurbishment is a step towards securing irrigation in the long term. However, concrete improvements for individual farms cannot yet be derived from the available information.
The works are part of the third planning cycle 2021–2027 of the hydrological planning for La Gomera. They form part of a series of measures aimed at more modern irrigation infrastructure on the island.