Embalse Conchi, Dam in Loa River, Chile
Embalse Conchi is a large water reservoir in the Antofagasta Region created by a dam on the Río Loa that rises approximately 70 meters high. The structure captures water from this river after it flows about 100 kilometers, forming a wide basin surrounded by rocky mountain peaks.
The reservoir opened in 1975 and has served as an important part of the regional landscape since then. It was originally built as part of the railroad line connecting Antofagasta to Bolivia, making it an integral component of this historic mountain route.
The reservoir sits approximately 68 kilometers northeast of Calama at an elevation of about 3048 meters (10,000 feet). The paths to the water are easily accessible and there are basic facilities nearby such as small docks and picnic areas.
The reservoir served as a filming location in 2015 for the Brazilian television series "Moisés y los 10 Mandamientos", where the production team used the basin and surrounding river to resemble the Egyptian Nile. This unexpected film production brought international attention to this remote mountain site in the desert.
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