The Azores recorded 243 occurrences in riverbeds in 2025, 58 fewer than in the previous year, according to a report presented today, which identifies siltation and landslides as the main situations identified.
“There was a reduction in the number of occurrences in the region, from 301 in 2024 to 243 in 2025, and, unsurprisingly, given the territorial size, São Miguel was the island most affected, with 176 occurrences, followed by Pico, with 22, Terceira, with 15, and Faial, with 12,” said Alonso Miguel, the regional Secretary for Environment and Climate Action of the Azores, in statements to journalists.
The official spoke in Angra do Heroísmo, on the island of Terceira, on the occasion of the presentation of the State of the Ribeiras of the Azores Report (RERA), covering the period from October 2024 to September 2025.
During this period, more than 550 kilometres of riverbeds were monitored, and 485 registrations were made, including new surveys and the monitoring of situations identified in previous years, which affected 168 drainage basins.
With the exception of São Miguel and Pico, there was a reduction in the number of occurrences on all the islands, with emphasis on the island of Terceira, which dropped from 38 to 15 occurrences, and Graciosa, which fell from 42 to eight.
“All of this also results from a set of measures that have been implemented, from structured and coordinated policies, which contribute to reducing danger in riverbeds, through these unblocking and maintenance works,” Alonso Miguel pointed out.
Also the number of more severe occurrences fell from 14 to four, representing 10% of the total in 2025.
Blockages and siltation of sections of riverbeds were the most significant occurrences (91), followed by landslides (74).
Alonso Miguel highlighted the decrease in situations of waste deposition in watercourses, which went from 22 to 12.
“It demonstrates a growing awareness among populations of the importance of environmental preservation and also of ensuring safety conditions and reducing the population’s exposure to risks,” he stressed.
Despite the “very positive and encouraging indicators,” the head of the Environment portfolio reminded that only with a “coordinated work” between landowners, municipalities and the Regional Government “is it possible progressively to reduce the risks associated with bank overflows and floods in riverbeds.”
“The vast majority of lands located in riverbeds are private land and, in accordance with the Water Law, the responsibility for intervention and maintenance on these lands lies with the owner, while all lands that are not private and are located in urban agglomerations are the responsibility of the municipalities and the remaining areas are the responsibility of the authority, in this case the Regional Secretariat for Environment and Climate Action,” he explained.
As part of the Life-IP Climaz project, co-financed by the European Union, the administration contracted 18 operators to intervene in 18 riverbeds “that were defined as priorities at the level of intervention and regularization.”
“Indeed, they have made a very important contribution to, together with the other operational teams, be able to resolve the situations,” emphasized Alonso Miguel.
The official admitted that the number of operators “is never enough,” given the extent of watercourses in the Azores, but assured that the region “has been progressively reinforcing.”
The Azores’ hydrographic network has more than 7,000 kilometres and 727 drainage basins.
