Santomera Reservoir, Stausee in Spanien
The Santomera Reservoir is a large body of water in the Region of Murcia that developed through the construction of a concrete dam in the 1960s. The structure stands about 37 meters tall and encompasses a water surface of roughly 263 hectares with a shoreline of nearly 29 kilometers.
The reservoir was planned in the early 1960s as a flood-control measure and completed roughly three years later. Construction required sealing work to reduce water loss through rock beneath the dam foundation, showing how engineers adapted to geological challenges.
The name Santomera comes from the reservoir and the nearby town of the same name. Local residents view the dam as both a protector and a landmark that has shaped daily life across generations.
The reservoir is easily accessible from Murcia via the RM-423 road and offers walking trails, including a loop route of about 6.5 kilometers that crosses the dam. Visitors should bring comfortable shoes, a hat, water, and sunscreen, especially when the sun is strong, and prefer early morning hours.
The water in the reservoir is partly saline, which limits its use for irrigation and reflects a distinctive feature of the local hydrogeology. This characteristic is less known than its flood-control purpose but contributes to the unique nature of the place.
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