Aracena Reservoir, Stausee in Spanien
The Aracena Reservoir is a large body of water in the province of Huelva, built between 1963 and 1970 across the Rivera de Huelva river. The dam stretches roughly 690 meters (2,260 feet) and stands about 59 meters (194 feet) high, creating a vast water surface surrounded by forested mountains and rocky limestone terrain within the Sierra de Aracena natural park.
Construction of the reservoir began in 1963 and was completed in 1970, transforming the valley to provide water supply for local towns and agricultural use across the region. The project required the relocation of six homes and approximately 30 residents, marking a major change to the landscape and community that reflected modernization efforts of the era.
The reservoir has become part of the identity of the surrounding communities, serving as a place where locals gather for recreation and leisure. The water remains deeply connected to regional traditions and memories, representing how people here have adapted to and benefited from this landscape over generations.
The reservoir is accessible by road from nearby towns including Aracena, Puerto Moral, and Zufre, with good conditions for both driving and cycling through scenic countryside. Plan your visit with seasonal weather in mind, as summers are warm and dry while winters bring cooler temperatures and more rainfall to the region.
When the dam was completed in 1970, six homes and about 30 residents were relocated, and their stories remain part of local memory and identity. This lesser-known human side of the reservoir's creation shows the real cost of infrastructure projects to small communities, a detail often overlooked when viewing the peaceful water today.
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