Climate Change and the European Water Dimension - Agri ...

Chapter VI.C. Climate Change and Water Resources in the
Ebro River Basin
VI.C.1. Introduction
The Ebro River is located in North-Eastern Spain and flows into the western
Mediterranean Sea (Figure VI.C.1). It is the largest Spanish fluvial system, with a
drainage basin of 85530 km2, and one of the largest contributors of freshwater in the
Mediterranean. Catchment characteristics are highly heterogeneous in terms of
geology, topography, climatology (mean annual precipitation varies from 2000 mm in
the Pyrenees to less than 400 mm in the arid interior), and land use. Water flow in
the catchment is regulated by 187 reservoirs, with a total water storage capacity of
approximately 6837.106 m3 (about 57% of the total mean annual runoff) (Comín,
1999; Batalla et al., 2004). Diverted water is used for agricultural irrigation, electricity
production and domestic consumption. Monthly water discharge is quite irregular,
with a significant decrease during last century attributed mainly to increased water
use for human activities (Figure VI.C.2). The river ends at the Ebro delta, covering
an area of about 320 km2 of sedimentary material with wetlands and coastal
lagoons, which are valuables in terms of natural resources and related economic
activities.
Figure VI.C.1. Ebro watershed and its delta.
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