In addition to the average of 300 hectometers cubic (-30%) that the dam supplies to the Metropolitan Area annually, the reservoir could be close to 50% of its capacity by the end of 2026, pending the rainfall that may occur during the year. Although Governor Samuel García has insisted that water will not be supplied to the United States —as was required by Law until November 2024—, the 4T points out that Nuevo León is one of the states with the greatest water capacity on the northwest border, also highlighting federal support with El Cuchillo II. Reservoirs such as Marte R. Gómez in Tamaulipas are also at 93% capacity, but they barely sum up to just over 700 hectometers cubic; in Coahuila, there are border basins such as Venustiano Carranza, which barely sums up to 153 hectometers cubic, 18%. Although there is no percentage yet on how much must be discharged from the San Juan basin to the U.S., it is estimated that El Cuchillo Dam could lose close to 10-15% of its capacity. It should be said: he has the electoral issue on his side because if in 2026 there is a water shortage in Monterrey, MC will have every possibility to blame the Federal Government headed by Morena. A week ago, the Tamaulipas Secretariat of Water Resources considered that Nuevo León would pay for most of the 246 hectometers cubic requested by President Donald Trump as a minimum payment. This could imply a considerable decrease in its capacity, up to 40%, by 2027, after narrowly avoiding a water crisis due to a meteorological phenomenon. In Governor Samuel García's entourage, they assure that if Conagua uses water from El Cuchillo, they will seek Sheinbaum's support with more resources for the entity, and not only with the issues related to the World Cup. The governor wants support for greater water infrastructure. For now, the dam that is ceding water is the Marte R. Gómez in Tamaulipas. Currently, El Cuchillo Dam holds 1,033 hectometers cubic, that is, 92% of its total capacity. President Claudia Sheinbaum's intention to settle the water debt with the United States from the San Juan River basin, where El Cuchillo Dam is located, generates tension at the Palace of Cantera.
