Castrovido Dam, stuwmeer in Salas de los Infantes, Spanje
The Castrovido Dam is a concrete gravity structure spanning the Arlanza River in Spain's Castile and Leon region. It features a straight main dam exceeding 500 meters long and reaching nearly 100 meters high, with a reservoir capacity of about 44 million cubic meters and a smaller tail dam that creates an additional water body for outdoor activities and wildlife support.
Construction of the dam began in 2004 and was completed in 2020, extending beyond original timelines. Filling of the reservoir commenced in late 2020 and was planned to occur gradually over approximately two years to ensure system stability and reduce operational risks.
The name Castrovido derives from Latin and reflects the area's historical roots. Today, visitors can experience how water management has been woven into the landscape, with artificial islands for nesting birds and walking paths that encourage people to explore and connect with the surroundings.
Visitors can walk along paths around the dam structure to view the water surface and surrounding landscape. Wear comfortable shoes since the terrain can be uneven, and trails vary in length from short strolls to longer hikes through the natural area.
During construction in 2011, a tragic accident occurred when a concrete container fell onto workers, resulting in three fatalities and leading to comprehensive safety reviews on the site. This incident marks an important moment in the project's history and underscores the risks inherent in large infrastructure undertakings.
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