Lac d'Orédon, Artificial reservoir in Hautes-Pyrénées, France
Lac d'Orédon is an artificial lake in the Hautes-Pyrénées situated at about 1849 meters elevation with a water surface covering roughly 0.46 square kilometers. The reservoir supplies water for hydroelectric generation, irrigation of farms, and drinking water needs of nearby communities.
The dam was completed in 1880 as one of France's first major artificial reservoirs, created to manage water resources in the region. This project represented an important milestone in harnessing mountain water for economic and municipal purposes.
The Orédon refuge began as housing for workers during the dam project and now serves hikers and nature enthusiasts visiting in summer. It remains a gathering place for people exploring the mountain landscape on foot.
The lakeshore is easily accessible on foot, and the area works well for hiking during summer when the weather is most favorable. The location can turn quite cold, so warmer layers are recommended even during the warmer months.
Water flows into this lake from the higher Lac de Cap-de-Long and drains into the Neste River, connecting a series of reservoirs through an underground hydraulic network. This system shows how engineers used the mountain streams to move water across long distances.
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