UPDATE OF INFORMATION ON DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN CHILE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T01137A000300070005-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 22
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 26, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: December 18, 1968
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
1'01'
18 December
Copy
FC :
Department of State
Update of Infprmation on Drought Conditionsin Chile
COMIEEX 448-69
2.
hi . nemo updates informaticn derived n
Sc;~~c.bcr i9 and discusses the areas previously analyzed in riddle
C:.i le (Rei'erence 2).
Y._Oi:E photography)
provides additional coverage of these areas
s nc ti:e Se'?~tember 196 coverage . Drought conditions appear to be
;un _ y the same; h0 ever. relative vertical differences in water
oviu.I:_ so_ne additional quantitative information ee sac me:
3. The following annotated photographs are also enclosed:
Lake Maule Dam (Attachment 3); Lake Laja
(Attachment 2)
d
::
,N
;
ai
e
Lake
(Attachment 4); Parral Area (Attachment 5); and Middle Chile (Attachment o).
y
~,:PIC/:.; 1C-/SD, through office of the Director, NPIC. (Telephone
IDS Code
Chief, Imagery Exploitation Group
NPIC
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
r u.e,. or::w~ _,_ 25X1
:::... Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
further inquiries should. be directed td
An
ri~ 7171
r Z~ u]
25X1
25X1
25X1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6 25X1
_ _ .......r .. mow.. .~ . fiZ v,/.,: i.. :i.J ! .
SU33 OT: ulu.wte of information on Drought Conditions in Chile
0 ' 1 D, rector of Engineering, AID, Deft of State
Steininger, Office of the Scientific Advisor to the Pres_a.e ~,
s"cccu~ive Office Building (Attachments 1-6)
- Ci:wir a , CONIREX (Attachment ?1)
`.'CO/OEGI (Attachment 1)
- CI _/Oii:i1 (Attachment 1)
o - ;PIG/IEG. PGS/R&PCB
T~PIO/ IEG/SD
3 - EPIC/PPBS/REQ
25X1
25X1
TOP SECRET RUPP
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
1 Dece:rber 19
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80T01137A000300070005-6
Attachment
D OIJGIIT CONDITIONS IN ChIL
NOV;I~ 3LR 1956
ia, Area 0(l-o)
This area tens covered by Mission 1105 only. The water level in the
Claro h.ver e a. its tributaries appears to be the same as it was in
Segie_:er i5dt, which approximated, the February level of approximately
N3 see (cubic: meters per second). The normal November level is 19 M3
sec. _ icui~ure appears active in the area, with a noticeable tone
difference between irrigated and. nonirrigated agriculture.
Lake Nau1.c (36-02S 070-33W)
water level arnears to be slightly lower
Th
e
i
lake level
than it was in September 1968. Thes
t below the spillway on the November coverage. The
f
ee
37 feet 5
:~'
z?rater :as all..ost to the level of the spillway.in February 1507, NIsslon
....OJ3j Little snow remains in the surrounding area, and little improve-
.
. e:a in the water level from this source can be expected.
Vicinity (12 am Si) of Parral (36-JAS 072-05W)
he Perquilauauen. River is slightly higher than in Septe ioer, but
is still at a. very low stage compared to the February 19957 level. The
average February flow is 5 M3 sec the average November flow is 31 Mi sec.
Agriculture appears active in the area, and many of the grain yields
have turned in color and. a few have been out. Several threshing floors
are visib:e, but none appears to be in use.. The ripening of the fields
may be somewhat early and could have been hastened by dry conditions..
lake Lai a (37_31S ' 071-22W)
]r,,}c ivery low, but this condition may have been created to
..`. .?,;.,ll o : Lydroccetric projects in the area. The top of the
)
sect
at the south end of the :Ialc is i6 feet; ( 5
l
way
wd ,:Hi.. T 'I"tie high wa er terrace is lI 0 feet (! 5 l ce
l,:.~~,r J_l.J'c:l. 1'
the water level. This condition is probably the result of drought
conditions but this lake will provide little water for industrial and-
agricultural use.
TOP N dCNN'T i~Ul' f
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80T01137A000300070005-6
25X1
25X1
25X1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80T01137A000300070005-6
Attache nt I t
(-1:-O(S 070-2161)
._.I_ ,-mount of snow remains on he surrounding peaks and. ~~ "G UGC,; C C4
t~. r slopes are bare. little drought effect is vi ible.
etu~ (33- OS 071-18W)
1 ice approxi.:ates its September level. Some snow is on the
Co _ o ~~'~ a (27-225 070-20W) 0.
this is an aril environ which will usually display 'evidence of dro ght.
tu'c :, not a major industry and is restricted. to the river valley.
G C,.ti on t?_-,c %eriphery are often fallow in dry years and this appears to
s the ,~_esc t case. The grass in the athletic stadium is dark in tone,'
indicating, -,'_.at there is,enough water available for such irrigation.
Re ;_o a Observations
an overall view of middle
C_.i le on the 10th and llth of November 1968. The 10 November coverage
I.C. Ca"~G ;r tC"r extent of snow cover than tha of the 11th. The
indicative of an extensive, but night, snowfall. 1h e
extent of sno':T cover on 11 November is comparable to mid-December 1966,
T'rhich ':IG' ld. indicate that there was either a rapid melt-off or less sno4T.
Since a would result in a higher reservoir and stress:
level, it .',pears that there was less snow this winter. The streams
crap;yii! into the Pacific ocean show only a light discharge.
nary that the stream levels are about the same as the Se~ptem r
t:-.' el roximratcd. the summer low waters a# e This river sua
r:air:t zin d by subterranean sources which are not iri:edi et fir
reservoir level. Agricultural activity continues; the ground.
..o...~- _ _aI_ca~c that the crops arc not lost. An occasional small amount[
o ccul.d. sustain the vegetation but could not support even an avera de
yse
TOP SECRET RU'T'F'
..25X1
00
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80T01137A000300070005-6
 ? Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
25X1
.25X1
L~~ U11CaS Cailo raver ~ a ~1.O C~.C i{ 'CU'1 :0 :
Obic~l
J
r:, 1C7 a do Ch 1'o, pL~b!J CuClOI1 No 12, Mayo 1963
e
90
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
Iq
Next 4 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80T01137A000300070005-6
16 October 1968
Drought Conditions in Chile
Available TKEYHO:w photography was reviewed to determine any evidence
of he reported drought in Chile and the amount of available surface
wester in reserve in reservoirs and in the form of snow. This analysis
was hampered by the lack of comparative coverage. Ideally, September 1968
p_otography would have been correlated with September coverage and availa-
ble data for several prior years. ^Ivailable system photography could
r or_ only a comparison of September 1968 coverage with that of
reti:?uary 1967. Non-Lystem photography from 19.55 through 1961 in the
December to April time frame was reviewed but was of little value.
provided medium-scale coverage of seven
sre germane to the drought region, as well as complete coverage of the
region by the index camera which yields very small scale photography.
k~,issi on 10 9 . February 1167 coyerpcl tlir- sr;> h1porn t1,rn-tlii e- -r9 c of m; nrll
Chile,
Each area covere will be discussed individually, and the
evidence observed on the index camera photography will be described from
a regional viewpoint.
The following definitions apply to the terms used in describing snow
cOV C_ .
Light--exposed ridges with small vegetation clear of snow; small
strcam and gully outlines clearly discernible; no drifting or la ge
accamulat_on observed obscuring minor land features.
:.ec,ium--most areas covered with the e::ception of exposed, bare, steep
slc,:~s; general outlines of minor land features visible with some drifting
in protected areas; shrubs and small trees generally not covered.
Heavy--all areas covered except extremely steep exposed slopes; minor
d features obscured and small vegetation covered; usually considerable
drifting is evident.
Talca Area (35-265 071-36w)
:;less coverage of an area of approximately 7 by 8 nautical miles (nm)
rev ?w_s the town of Talca, major tributaries of the Maule River system,
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80T01137A000300070005-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
.Vi OI l.il. -1 ZU ^ - ri i.cLL11LllCL1 t,
16 October 1968
and agricultural activity. The princi3a1 indicator of surface water
available on this photography is the Claro River. Collateral information 1/
_.."-cafes that this river carries a maximum of 140 cubic meters per second
(M3/sec) i August, 29 m3/sec in September, and a minimum in February of
14 1C4?i~wt r . Q lcvL;1 ef' th ive on 15 -`a tombar x.968 appro.5.67.mc;tct that
of 214 February 19067, indicating that it is abnormally low. The Lircay
River , which empties into the Claro just above 'Yalta, has a small dam near
its mouth with a spillway that diverts the water to a canal ending in the
city. There is water flowing in this canal; however, it appears-to be
utilizing nearly all the f lo;r of this river.
The ?erauin River, a small river flowing through the south edge of
Talca, has water in it, although many of the small streams appear dry.
Farminc in the area appears to consist mainly of medium and large farms
growing a variety of crops.* farms appear to be active, and future
coverage should provide additional information on this. It appears that
irrigation water is in short sup_~ly for this time of year but agriculture
is continuing.
Lake M.aule (36-025 070-33W)
Al! of the lake except the southeast tip is covered, but there are
thin clouds over the dam and spillway area. The lavel of this lake is
well below that of February 1967, and there is some flow out of the lake.
'there is light to medium snow cover in the area which will provide
additional surface water. It would appear that this lake will provide
irrigation water, but the available amount is probably well below normal.
Vicinity of Parral (36-11+5 072-05W)
An area of approximately 7 by 8 nm located 12 nm south est of Parral
is covered on clear photography. It appears to be a relatively desolate
re;ion where medium-size farms are cultivated in a rotation of small grain,
pasture, and/or fallow. The agriculture in this area is apparently active.
A su:u:all segment of the Perquilauquen River.is visible. Collateral
information 1~ indicates that this river carries a volume of 3 m3/sec in
'! C;P S.ECrR E'T RUFF
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
16 October 1968
Fe bruary a, its minimum flow and peaks in both June and October at 31
m3/sec, v-th a flow of 28 m3/sec in September. This river appears to be
slightly lower than its February 1967 flow; however, a small stream in
the area, the Vega Honda, appears to be at a near normal flow.
Lake Laja (37-21S 071-22W)
The southern third of this lake is covered on-clear photography. The
level of the lake appears to be .ccosidexably ,lower.than in February F
l961. . Several lacustrine terraces are visible, indicating a low level.
The only effluent visible is flowing from the tailrace. There appears to
be medium snow cover on the surrounding hills.
Late Gualletue (38-405 071-18W)
This lake appears to be lower in September 1968 than it was in
February 1967. Both the streams flowing into and the effluent from this
lake are at a moderate level. There is light to medium snow cover on. the
surrounding area which will provide some surface water.
Area North of Santiago (33-08S 070-40W)
A small a2 ea of approximately 3 by 7 nm located 15 nm north of Santiago
is covered on clear photography. The area is mostly arid foothills, and
the few fields that are in this vicinity appear to be under cultivation.
All of the small stream beds are dry, although there,is some evidence of
irrigation. No snow is observed in the foothills.,
Sewell Area (34-06S 070-21W)
An area of approximately 7 by 8 no near Sewell is covered. This is a
_gged mountainous section lying about 11,000 feet above sea level. It
provides fcw indicators of the drought except for stored water in the form
of snow. The snow cover here appears to be light with many of the lower
slopes bare.
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000300070005-6
TOP SECRET RUFF Attachment 1
16 October 068
R