Reservoir of Compuerto, embalse en la provincia de Palencia, España
The Reservoir of Compuerto is a water storage lake in Palencia Province formed by a concrete gravity dam standing 78 meters (256 feet) tall. The water surface spreads across roughly 376 hectares (930 acres) and is surrounded by rolling hills and forests with trails running along the shoreline.
Construction of the dam finished in 1960 as a major infrastructure project to regulate the Carrion River flow through the region. The structure enabled irrigation systems and hydroelectric power generation that transformed local agriculture and energy supply.
The water body shaped the daily rhythms of local communities and became part of regional identity after its creation in 1960. Today, people use the surrounding trails and shoreline for walking, cycling, and spending quiet time in nature.
Access to the area is easiest via walking trails starting from parking areas near the dam, which loop around the water and hillsides. The routes are open year-round, though paths are most comfortable to walk during dry weather months.
The water body holds up to 95 million cubic meters and feeds hydroelectric generators producing power for surrounding communities, yet most visitors only notice the quiet landscape. This hidden function makes the reservoir one of the region's most important energy sources while appearing as a simple natural attraction.
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