Susqueda Reservoir, lake in Girona Province, Spain
The Susqueda Reservoir is a large water body in northern Catalonia fed by the river Ter and surrounded by forested hills that slope down to the water's edge. The calm waters stretch across a wide basin held in place by a concrete arch dam, creating a stable environment for fishing and small-scale water activities.
Construction began in the early 1960s and was completed in 1968, built to supply water to cities like Girona and Barcelona while generating hydroelectric power. The rising water flooded the old village of Susqueda and farming settlements in the valleys below, submerging parts of the historic river landscape.
Fishing is a valued local activity here, with people spending hours along the shore or from small boats to catch bass and trout. The nearby villages of Vilanova de Sau and Sant Hilari Sacalm maintain simple, welcoming ways of life that visitors can experience through local food and hospitality.
Access by car is straightforward with marked parking areas near the water and designated walking trails along the shoreline. Visiting in the cooler morning or late afternoon hours makes for a more comfortable experience, and the area sees fewer visitors during these times.
During very low water levels, ruins and parts of the old river landscape become visible beneath the surface, revealing remnants of settlements that were flooded decades ago. These rare glimpses into the submerged past offer an unusual way to see the region's history firsthand.
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