Pajares Reservoir, Stausee in Spanien
Pajares Reservoir is an artificial body of water in La Rioja, Spain, built in 1995 and surrounded by gently sloping mountains. The dam stands about 240 feet (73 meters) tall, covers approximately 160 hectares, and collects water from the Piqueras, Lumbreras, and Lavieja rivers at an elevation of roughly 3,900 feet (1200 meters).
The reservoir was completed in 1995 with an impermeable core designed to store water and control river flow for irrigation and agricultural use in the region. The construction of the dam required the flooding of the village of Pajares, displacing its residents to nearby communities like San Andrés and Lumbreras de Cameros.
The reservoir sits within the Sierra de Cebollera natural park and serves as a gathering place for outdoor activities and quiet reflection. Locals and visitors use the trails and surrounding area to connect with the landscape and its natural rhythms.
The reservoir is easily reached from the N-111 national road and offers walking and cycling trails of varying difficulty around the water. The best time to visit is spring, summer, and autumn when weather is mild and paths are easy to navigate.
The reservoir flooded the historic village of Pajares, forcing residents to resettle elsewhere, a silent reminder of the project's impact on the land. Wildlife such as birds and small animals make their homes in the vegetation and along the shoreline around the water.
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