The Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana (CHG) reported on 14 October 2026 that, in the Río Guadiana by the city of Badajoz so far 95,000 cubic metres of silt had been excavated. The desilting work forms part of measures to combat the so-called nenúfar mexicano (Nymphaea mexicana), an invasive aquatic plant that takes hold in nutrient-rich sediment. With this progress achieved, work is now moving to the tramo urbano, that is, the urban section of the river.
According to the CHG, sediment and plant matter are being removed together: suction and dredging of the silt are supplemented by the mechanical removal of Mexican water lily growth. This two-pronged strategy is intended to prevent remaining rhizomes and seed banks from allowing the population to grow back rapidly. Removal is being carried out in sections along around 25 kilometres within the municipality of Badajoz.
According to the authorities, the excavated sediment is being deposited in designated Graveras in the surrounding area. The CHG has commissioned the public company Tragsa to carry out the work, among others; the project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). To comply with species and bird-protection requirements in areas around designated protected sites, work is concentrated in the authorised periods between October and February.
The figure of 95,000 cubic metres is provisional as at 14 October 2026. At the second meeting of the Comisión de Seguimiento the CHG stressed that fully containing an invasive species associated with sediment requires repeated interventions over several seasons. The upcoming move into the tramo urbano brings increased safety and communication requirements, as work will take place closer to built-up and heavily used riverbanks.
The authority stresses that the measures have been ongoing since October 2025 and coordinated through planning. The aim is to remove plant matter and the silt that promotes its growth, prevent material from accumulating again and ensure long-term control of the population. The CHG confirms visible progress along the sections worked on so far; at the same time, it points to the need for close coordination with Badajoz’s municipal services and transparent public information in the coming phases.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).