Lac de Vinça, reservoir in France
Lac de Vinça is an artificial reservoir in the Pyrénées-Orientales region of southern France. The lake stretches approximately 5 kilometers in length and varies in width from 150 meters to 1200 meters, fed by the Têt river and the Lentillà stream.
The concept for a dam at this location emerged in the early 20th century, though construction did not begin until the 1960s. The concrete dam, completed in 1976, measures approximately 55 meters high and nearly 200 meters in length, replacing several old settlements and bridges that now lie beneath the water.
The lake features a public beach called Escoumes where visitors can swim and relax. Hiking trails traverse the surrounding area and lead toward nearby mountains and forests, with views of Mount Coronat reaching over 2000 meters visible from the lakeshore.
Water release is controlled through special gates that allow engineers to manage outflow at varying rates to prevent flooding downstream. An underground network of small tunnels and galleries continuously monitors water levels and supports the structural integrity of the installation.
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