The drying of a brazilian waterfall: an unprecedented crisis

Bom Despacho Waterfall has completely dried up for the first time in its history due to a lack of rain in the last three months

Bom Despacho Waterfall is a kind of historical tourism attraction of Santa Cruz de Minas, placed on the path of the old Estrada Real. It connects the regions of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro by transporting gold and diamonds during the colonial time.

With crystal clear waters and a beautiful scenery, it has been a favourite tourist destination for visitors to the area both because of its beauty and historical interest. Nowadays, however, for the first time in recorded history, it completely dried out due to an unprecedented drought that affects the majority of Brazil.

Without any rain in this region for the last three and a half months, the waterfall made the water crisis accentuated. This situation with the waterfall creates an unbearable consequence for the local ecosystem. According to confirmation from the local authorities, including the municipal spokesperson Augusto César, the flow of water began to diminish about 15 days ago; afterward, it totally dried out. Even during other times during droughts, there was a thin current in the waterfall, but this time the situation is alarming.

Tourist numbers dwindle

Aside from the severe damage to the environment, the drought has hit tourism in the region hard. Visits to the waterfall-which is one of the main sights in Santa Cruz de Minas-have fallen 80%, according to municipal authorities.

What was even more astounding to many tourists who had gotten used to the waterfall’s view in full glory was that this water has vanished into nothingness, making the site less attractive still. This waterfall, once a guiding landmark for those traveling along the Estrada Real, now looms as a landscape of dry rocks and shallow pools that have clearly become stagnant.

Experts explain this crisis, combining natural causes with human impact: the very heavy factor of climate change and deforestation that worsened the situation. Local authorities expect the flow of the waterfall to restore with the arrival of the rainy season but refrain from optimistic short-term forecasts.