Réservoir d'Itoiz, reservoir in Navarre, Spain
The Embalse de Itoiz is a large water reservoir built across the Irati River between the valleys of Arce and Longuida in Navarre, Spain. The dam stands over 100 meters tall with a crest spanning more than 500 meters, holding up to 586 million cubic meters of water and making it the largest reservoir in the Navarre region.
The project was planned over several decades to regulate the Irati River and provide water for agriculture and industry. Its completion in 2002 followed lengthy legal battles during the 1990s, when courts halted construction due to concerns about protecting natural zones, until new regional laws eventually permitted the project to proceed.
The reservoir took its name from the village of Itoiz, which was partly submerged during its construction. Local communities depend on this water source for agriculture, drinking water, and industrial use, shaping how people manage their daily activities and land use in the region.
The reservoir is accessible via the valley between Arce and Longuida and offers opportunities for walking, photography, and birdwatching along the water's edge. Water levels fluctuate with the seasons and rainfall, which affects accessibility to some shoreline areas.
During construction, workers and environmental activists sabotaged the project by cutting cables as a protest against environmental concerns, significantly delaying the work. This act symbolized strong local resistance to the dam and its impact on protected natural zones.
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