Peñarroya Dam, reservoir in Argamasilla de Alba, Spain
Peñarroya Dam is a concrete and earth structure spanning the river valley with a height of about 144 feet (44 meters) and a crest length of about 251 meters. The construction creates a wide reservoir capable of holding up to 50 million cubic meters of water across more than 400 hectares.
The dam project was conceived in 1917 to manage flooding and improve irrigation, with construction starting in 1947 and completing in 1959. Its opening represented a major milestone in local water management and agricultural development for the surrounding communities.
The dam represents a shared water management effort that has shaped daily life in the region for decades. Local residents still use the reservoir for fishing and recreation, making it a familiar part of the community's relationship with their landscape.
Access is easiest via the CM-3115 road, with walking paths connecting from the nearby Peñarroya Castle to the dam area. The site is best visited during warmer months for comfortable walks and bird watching, and non-motorized boats are permitted on the water.
A small hydroelectric power station operates within the dam structure, generating electricity from flowing water. This quiet energy system provides clean power to the region while adding another practical function to the water infrastructure.
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