Canelles Reservoir, lake in Huesca Province, Catalonia, Spain
The Canelles Reservoir is a large water body on the Noguera Ribagorzana river, located on the border between the provinces of Huesca and Lerida. A concrete arch dam about 150 meters high holds back the water and serves multiple purposes: irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation.
The reservoir was built in 1960 and marked a turning point in the region's development by modernizing water control and energy supply. Construction brought new infrastructure and jobs, permanently changing the landscape and local life.
For decades, the reservoir served as a center for water sports and recreation, where kayakers and boaters explored the landscape. Today, the dry shorelines reflect how deeply the local community has depended on this water source for leisure and livelihood.
Access is easiest from nearby villages, and walking trails run along the shoreline and lead to viewpoints like the Finestres wall. Visitors should expect the water level to fluctuate greatly depending on the season and weather conditions, which noticeably changes the appearance of the site.
Recent drought years have dramatically altered the site's appearance, exposing areas of the riverbed that normally remain underwater. This unusual situation allows visitors to explore parts of the natural landscape that are typically hidden beneath the surface.
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