Embassament de Núria, Reservoir in Spain

The Embassament de Núria is a small reservoir in the Núria valley at about 1950 meters elevation, formed by a 25 meter high dam that stores water from the Núria river. The water surface covers roughly 2 hectares and supplies irrigation water and drinking water to local homes and farms.

The reservoir was created by a dam built between 1955 and 1956 at the confluence of the Noufonts and Finestrelles rivers, where they form the Núria river. A small prehistoric lake had occupied the hollow, held back by the turó de la Riba, but the river had long since cut a passage through it. In 1929 the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya was already studying a dam at this spot.

The reservoir takes its name from the Núria valley. Beside it stands the Santuario de Núria, framed to the north by the llano de San Gil and the Prat de Baix, which serve as its gardens. The old footpath to Queralbs passed over the Creu d'en Riba bridge, now bypassed to the west near the Agulla de l'Estany.

The area sits at high elevation with cool air year-round, and winter often brings snow to higher regions. Access is possible by car, and well-marked walking trails lead to higher points like Puigmal, making it easy to explore the surroundings.

The lake freezes over for several months each winter, but the ice period and thickness vary greatly, making walking on it very dangerous. The Catalan Excursionist Centre records that a dam here was already being studied in 1929, decades before it was built in 1955-1956.