2023-11-02 13:25:00
The La Paila dam, in the municipality of San Cristóbal, has been, since 1982, a useful as well as beautiful work. Few remain indifferent to the spectacle of its landscape, but it entails much more in the life of Jesús Valdés Ledesma, a worker at the Base Business Unit (UEB) of Hydraulic Resources in that municipality.
It is worth reaching the place and talking to the man who lives day and night to guarantee the services of the dam. Opens and closes the floodgates, measures the fundamental parameters daily, checks the evaporation of water, monitors the incidence of rainfall in exceptional times to prevent flooding, complies with the agreement with the agricultural users who require the water and in the manner they need it, and fight against social indiscipline.
Since when have you worked at the La Paila dam?
-I started working here on August 28, 2008. I have been in La Paila for 15 years. This is the largest dam in the province: it holds 60.5 million cubic meters, which is its maximum capacity.
How complex is your work? -I have eight workers, I review the maintenance, I send the reports to the Institute, the company and the UEB, daily, as well as the routes.
I come to the scale section every morning to measure the elevation, the volume of the dam during normal times, because when there are cyclones or heavy rains I do it every two hours. When there is more complexity it is in cases of hydrometeorological events, then I have more work, because there are popular councils with risk of flooding.
What type of services does this work provide?
-We provide services mainly to three delivery objects: Agriculture, Alevinaje and a mini-hydraulic plant that is near here. We start from the base of the users’ needs; They request the water and through the UEB they call me and I open or close the floodgates.
I master the work with my eyes closed, I know all the activities and I like being here. I live in the same house as the dam, for 15 years as well.
Furthermore, this landscape of mountains that seem to come out of the water motivates me and I have my little seed for self-consumption. I’m already retired, but I plan to stay here, look if I’m proud that I retired and I’m going to stay.
Is everything harmony and tranquility in this place?
-No, I also suffer if the drought is intense, like in recent months, because it does not depend on me and I see it go down and down.
In addition, many people come, more so in the summer. Some come to enjoy themselves here and do so without harm, others are undisciplined. I have to ensure that the good condition of its structures is maintained, the tower railings, for example. I also try to prevent accidents and warn them when certain areas are not conducive to bathing.
But it is pleasant to do my job and it is nice when someone comes and celebrates the beauty of this, which is now my place.
#Jesus #protector #Paila