Guadalén Reservoir, embalse de 163 hectómetros cúbicos de capacidad, situado en la provincia de Jaén, España
The Guadalen Reservoir is a water storage facility located in Vilches, Santisteban del Puerto, and Arquillos in Jaen province, impounding water from the Guadalen River. The structure consists of a concrete wall rising roughly 50 meters above the river bed and measuring over 280 meters across, with a storage capacity of approximately 163 million cubic meters.
The dam was constructed between 1946 and 1954 and inaugurated in April 1953 to convert dry land into farmland and support local agriculture. The project was part of a broader initiative to settle and develop the region during the post-war period.
The reservoir is an important part of rural life in the region and is used by locals for fishing and weekend outings. The surrounding olive groves and quiet landscape shape the everyday appearance of nearby villages.
The reservoir serves multiple purposes including irrigation, electricity generation, and recreation with opportunities for fishing and swimming. The area is accessible by major roads from nearby towns such as La Carolina and Ubeda and is surrounded by olive groves and pastureland.
The project was a busy destination in its early years with many visitors coming for fishing and picnics, making it a symbol of progress after Spain's difficult war years. Today it remains a quiet place that shows how post-war infrastructure continues to shape the rural community.
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