Villagers are wary of plans to dam a river to ensure Panama Canal's water supply

Panama Canal representatives explain to locals how a proposed dam project in the Indio River that aims to secure the canal's uninterrupted operation could affect the future of El Jobo, Aug. 31, 2024. The Panama Canal's Madden Dam stands in Alajuela Lake in Colon, Sept. 2, 2024. A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama, Sept. 2, 2024. A ship passes through the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama, Sept. 2, 2024. Locals commute along the Indio River near El Jobo village, Panama, Aug. 31, 2024. Jeronima Figueroa raises her hand during a meeting with Panama Canal representatives about a proposed project that would dam the Indio River and limit access in her community of El Jobo, Panama, Aug. 31, 2024. A ranch worker looks after cattle in the village of Limon, which would be submerged in a proposed plan to dam the nearby Indio River to secure the Panama Canal’s uninterrupted operation, in Panama, Aug. 31, 2024. Roads snake through the community of Limon, which could be submerged in a proposed plan to dam the nearby Indio River to secure the Panama Canal’s uninterrupted operation, in Panama, Aug. 31, 2024.

A long, wooden boat puttered down the Indio River’s chocolate waters carrying Ana María Antonio and a colleague from the Panama Canal Authority on a mission to hear directly from villagers who could be affected by plans to dam the river.