Poechos Reservoir, lake in Peru
Poechos Reservoir is a large body of stored water in the Piura Department of northern Peru, formed by a dam on the Chira River. It feeds a wide irrigation network that brings water to farmland across an otherwise very dry coastal region.
The dam was built in the 1970s with support from the Soviet government and was at the time one of the largest earthen dams in South America. Its construction transformed farming in northern Peru by making it possible to irrigate land that had previously been too dry to use.
The reservoir is a familiar landmark for people living in the Piura countryside, shaping rural life across generations. Along its shores, farmers draw water for fields that would otherwise be too dry to cultivate in this part of northern Peru.
The reservoir is easily reached from the nearby city of Sullana, which serves as a practical base for a visit. Sun exposure is intense in this region, so bringing sun protection and enough water is a good idea before heading out.
The reservoir lost a large part of its storage capacity after the severe flooding caused by the 1983 El Nino event, when massive amounts of sediment were washed into the basin. Since then, its usable capacity has been noticeably smaller than originally planned.
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