Rosa
La Serena, Chile. Rosa Elvida Rivera and her family herd hundreds of goats in Coquimbo. She tells us she lost nearly two hundred animals because of drought. May 1, 2013.
Reservoir Gone
Gualliguaica, Chile. The Puclaro Reservoir is at around 10 % of it’s peak in 2009, indicated by lines on the mountain in the background. The dam is in the distance. Without the reservoir, farmers, mines and other water users have lost one of their key buffers against drought. Taken April 29, 2013.
Ruins of Gualliguaica.
Gaulliguaica, Chile. Walls of the old village, which in 2009, when the reservoir levels peaked, lay under 30 meters of water. Taken April 29, 2013.
Drying Grapes
Elqui Valley, Chile. If you live in the U.S. and you’re buying grapes at the supermarket right now, they most likely come from Chile. Taken May 2, 2013.
Readying for Winter
Elqui Valley, Chile. If you live in the U.S. and you’re buying grapes at the supermarket right now, they most likely come from Chile. Most of the table grapes at Fundo Algorrobal have been harvested. Taken May 2, 2013.
Bruno Espinoza Moran
Elqui, Coquimbo Chile : General manager of the Fundo El Algarrobal vineyard in the Elqui Valley, which has a sophisticated strategy of water management and conservation, placing high value on the accuracy of time-ahead information. Photo taken May 2, 2013.
Fundo El Algarrobal
Elqui Valley, Chile. We spent the day in grape country. The Elqui Valley is home to dozens of vineyards, some small, mostly large scale operations such as the Fundo El Algorrobal, which has built its own reservoir to hedge against droughts. Taken May 2, 2013.
Goat herd
La Serena, Chile. Goat herding is a traditional livelihood in the drylands of Coquimbo, Chile. These goats are pasturing very near the Elqui River. Taken May 1, 2013.
Modesto Geraldo, 61
Elqui River Valley, Chile. A goat herder, Modesto Geraldo and his family represent one of the most drought-vulnerable communities in Coquimbo. Taken May 1, 2013.
Drought’s Ghosts
Gualliguaica, Chile. The original village of Gualliguaica, where Natalia Edith Codoceo Flores lived until the 1990 s, was flooded when the Puclaro Dam was built. But the long lasting drought has diminished the reservoir to 10 % (or less) of it’s capacity. The entire old village is now exposed, as the “reservoir” essentially receded back to the original bed of the Elqui. She stands inside an old door frame of a once-submerged house. Taken April 29. 2013.