El Burguillo Reservoir, Reservoir in Province of Ávila, Spain.
El Burguillo Reservoir is a large body of water covering about 910 hectares along the Alberche River between the towns of El Tiemblo and El Barraco. The water sits at roughly 729 meters elevation and is held back by a gravity dam that rises 91 meters high.
The reservoir was completed in 1913 as the first water infrastructure built on the Alberche River. Its construction marked the beginning of organized water management in this part of Castile and León.
The area surrounding this reservoir remains rooted in traditional rural ways, where local celebrations and regional food reflect how Castilian communities have lived for generations. Visitors can experience these customs by exploring nearby villages and participating in seasonal gatherings.
The reservoir provides space for water sports like kayaking, sailing, and swimming with several access points scattered along the shoreline. You will find equipment rental services and rest areas at different locations that operate year-round.
This reservoir generates about 48 megawatts of electricity through hydropower while feeding an extensive irrigation network that waters surrounding farmland. Few visitors realize that the same structure serves two critical purposes for the region at once.
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