Authorities have closed the Besòs River Park to the public as of Friday afternoon, citing a dramatic and rapid increase in the river’s flow caused by intense, persistent rainfall. The popular green space, which straddles several municipalities including Barcelona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet, will remain shut until further notice as a safety precaution.

The decision followed a surge in the river’s flow rate, which peaked at approximately 83 cubic metres per second (m³/s). This marks a more than twenty-fold increase from the tranquil 4 m³/s recorded on Thursday morning, before the storm system, known locally as a llevantada, affected the region. Consequently, the sharp rise in water levels prompted officials to activate the ‘alert phase’ (fase d’alerta) for the river basin.

A River Transformed by Rain

The storm progressively impacted the region. An initial downpour on Thursday afternoon caused the river’s flow to swell to over 45 m³/s. However, further heavy rainfall on Friday pushed the volume to its peak, transforming the usually calm waterway into a powerful current. According to a report by local news outlet Betevé, although the immediate peak has started to recede, the park remains closed due to forecasts of further rain in the coming days.

This weather event has put services on high alert across the Catalan capital. For example, the same storm system also prompted Barcelona to go on alert for rough seas, activating coastal emergency plans to manage high waves and protect the city’s beaches.

A Vital Green Lung

The Parc Fluvial del Besòs, a nine-kilometre-long recreational area, serves as a vital green lung for some of the region’s most densely populated areas. Managed by the Consorci del Besòs and part of the Diputació de Barcelona’s Network of Natural Parks, its paths and green areas are accessible during normal conditions but are inherently vulnerable to flooding when the river swells.

The closure underscores the dynamic nature of the Besòs River, which has undergone a remarkable ecological recovery over the past three decades. Indeed, the park symbolises this transformation, turning a once heavily polluted industrial river into a cherished space for wildlife and residents. Its health and accessibility are central to major urban renewal strategies, such as the ambitious Besòs waterfront revamp, aiming to reconnect the city with its river and coast. However, the project has faced controversy, as some communities like Trinitat Vella have fought for inclusion in the regeneration plans.

Vigilance Remains

Authorities, including the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), which monitors regional water levels, will continue to track the situation closely. Weather forecasts from the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteocat) will be critical in determining when the park can safely reopen. For now, all access points remain cordoned off, and residents are advised to stay away from the river banks until the alert lifts.