Reservoir La Viñuela, reservoir in Malaga, Spain
Reservoir La Viñuela is the largest water storage body in Málaga Province, sitting in the valley of the Río Vélez and surrounded by hills and dry terrain. It collects water from several tributaries that flow down from the mountains, and the water level shifts noticeably depending on the season and rainfall.
The dam was completed in the 1980s to secure a stable water supply for the towns and farms of the Axarquía region along the eastern Costa del Sol. Before it existed, the area relied heavily on seasonal rains, and dry years often brought shortages.
The shoreline paths draw locals from nearby villages who come for morning walks and birdwatching, especially in cooler months. The sight of water in this dry landscape carries a particular meaning for farming communities that depend on it through the summer.
The reservoir is accessible from the N-335 and local roads, with parking spots near the shore at several points around the water. Visiting in autumn or winter gives a better chance of seeing the water at a higher level after seasonal rains.
When water levels drop far enough during very dry periods, the submerged remains of the old village of Alhama de la Viñuela reappear above the surface. The village was flooded when the dam was built, and its walls and foundations become visible again in years of severe drought.
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