Embalse de El Vellón, embalse en el río Guadalix
The Embalse de El Vellón, also known as Pedrezuela, is a reservoir in the northern part of the Community of Madrid, formed by a dam built across the Guadalix River. Its banks alternate between rocky sections and areas of low vegetation, with the water level visibly shifting depending on the season.
The dam was completed in 1967 and was among the first in Spain to use a double-curvature arch structure, built by the Canal de Isabel II water authority. A small hydroelectric plant was added later to make use of the water flowing through the structure.
The reservoir draws many weekend anglers from the Madrid area, who gather along the rocky banks with their fishing rods. Outside fishing spots, the shoreline path is used by walkers who come to enjoy open air and open water without going far from the city.
The site is easy to reach from Madrid along the N-I road, and the shoreline path is open to visitors most days of the week except Mondays. A fishing permit is required and can be obtained from local offices or nearby shops, with a limit of two rods per person.
The name of the reservoir comes from an old mill called Molino del Vellón that once stood in the area before the valley was flooded. Despite carrying that name, most of the surrounding land and water basin actually falls within the municipal boundaries of the nearby town of Pedrezuela.
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