The Rio Taquari in Lajeado, Brazil, dropped below the flood-risk threshold on Friday morning after water levels receded significantly [1, 2].
This decline marks a critical shift for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where river levels had surged to dangerous heights earlier in the week. The reduction in water volume reduces the immediate risk of further inundation for residents and infrastructure in the Lajeado region.
According to measurements from the Serviço Geológico do Brasil (SGB), the river level was 16.6 meters at 6:30 on Friday [1]. This represents a decrease of 3.26 meters within the preceding 10 hours [1].
The rapid drop follows a period of extreme volatility. The river had reached nearly 25 meters on Wednesday night [1]. The transition from that peak to the current level indicates a substantial outflow of water from the local basin, a move that takes the river out of the flood-quota zone [1, 2].
Local authorities have monitored the SGB data closely as the region manages the aftermath of the surge. While the water has receded below the critical mark, the scale of the previous peak highlights the intensity of the recent weather event in the southern Brazilian state [1].
Officials said the data confirms the river is no longer at the immediate flood-risk level as of Friday morning [1, 2].
“The river level fell by about 3.26 metres, dropping to 16.6 m.”
The rapid descent of the Rio Taquari from nearly 25 metres to 16.6 metres suggests a swift transition from a peak flood event to a receding phase. While the immediate threat of rising waters has passed, the fact that the river reached such heights indicates a high-volume event that likely left significant sediment and debris in the Lajeado area, which often complicates the recovery process even after water levels normalize.
