The Venezuelan government is working on a plan to rebuild the El Guapo dam in north-central Miranda state to supply potable water to around 450,000 people in the region.

The dam is being constructed 4.5km south of El Guapo town and will cost a total of US$67.2M, providing potable water to 130,000 residents of the area and a floating population of another 350,000 vacationers.

During heavy rainfall in 1999, the existing dam in the area on the Guapo river suffered serious damage. In 2005, Marn began rebuilding works through the Brazilian-Venezuelan consortium Correia Barsanti and the second phase will begin this June.

Once completed in July 2007, the reservoir created behind the 60m high dam will have a surface area of 600ha and will store a total of 155Mm3 of water.