Valparaíso Dam, Embalse artificial de la provincia de Zamora
The Valparaíso Dam is a concrete gravity structure spanning 540 meters across the river Tera in northern Spain, standing approximately 67 meters tall. It creates a large reservoir covering over 1,200 hectares with a capacity of around 162 million cubic meters, surrounded by open landscapes and green vegetation.
The dam was completed in 1988 as part of Spain's program to expand hydroelectric power generation. Its construction caused two older villages, Anta de Tera and Manzanal de Abajo, to be submerged beneath the new waters, leaving only memories of the communities that once stood there.
The dam bears the name of a Chilean city, reflecting historical connections beyond the local region. Today it serves as a gathering place where nearby villagers come to enjoy peaceful moments by the water and connect with the natural landscape.
The dam is accessible by car or bicycle via the road running across the top of the structure. The area offers straightforward access without major facilities directly on-site, making it suitable for walking, fishing, kayaking, and water sports.
The structure serves as both a dam and a working road, allowing travelers to drive across its top while viewing the vast water below. This dual function creates an unusual experience where visitors can directly feel the engineering beneath them while crossing.
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