The Ulldecona Dam ''('') () is a gravity

dam A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...

located in the

Tinença de Benifassà Tinença de Benifassà () is a historical ''comarca'' of the Valencian Community, Spain. It is nowadays part of the Baix Maestrat, one of the present-day Comarques of the Valencian Community, even though commercial and human relationships have be ...

and the

Ports de Tortosa-Beseit Ports de Tortosa-Beseit (), also known as Ports de Beseit, or simply as Els Ports or Lo Port by locals, is a limestone mountain massif located at the north-eastern end of the Sistema Ibérico, a complex system of mountain ranges and massifs in ...

mountains, within the La Pobla de Benifassà municipal limits,

Valencian Community The Valencian Community is an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain. It is the fourth most populous Spanish Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community after Andalusia, Catalonia and the Community of Madrid wit ...

, Spain. The dam was built in 1967 and was financed by farmers from the town of

Ulldecona Ulldecona () is a municipality in Catalonia, Spain. It is located in the southern part of the province of Tarragona, in the region of Montsiá. It has had town privileges since 1273. The nearest towns are: Alcanar, La Ràpita, Freginals, God ...

, hence its name.

Description

The

reservoir A reservoir (; ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam, usually built to water storage, store fresh water, often doubling for hydroelectric power generation. Reservoirs are created by controlling a watercourse that drains an existing body of wa ...

is at the confluence of three seasonal rivers, the Barranc de la Fou, Barranc de Teulatí, also known as Barranc de la Tenalla, and the Barranc de la Pobla, all part of the Cenia river basin. Its reservoir reaches a surface of 817 ha with a capacity of 11 hm³.La nieve y las lluvias elevan tras dos años de pérdidas el nivel del embalse de Ulldecona
/ref> This dam belongs to the Hydrographic Confederation of the

Júcar The Júcar () or Xúquer () is a river in Spain, on the Iberian Peninsula. The river runs for approximately 509 km. Its source is located at Ojuelos de Valdeminguete, in the municipality of Tragacete, province of Cuenca, on the eastern fla ...

. The abandoned village of Mangraner is located at the northwestern end of the reservoir not far from the shore.

Tourism

The dam attracts tourists, especially in the summer. Right by the reservoir there is a restaurant, accommodation,

pedalo A pedalo (British English), pedal boat (U.S. English), or paddle boat (U.S., Canadian, and Australian English) is a human-powered watercraft propelled by the action of bicycle pedal, pedals turning a paddle wheel. Description A pedalo is ...

s and information about hiking routes in the neighboring

karstic Karst () is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite. It is characterized by features like poljes above and drainage systems with sinkholes and caves underground. There is some eviden ...

mountainous area. The easiest way to reach the Ulldecona Dam is from Cenia located close by.

References

External links

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Ulldecona Tourism
Reservoirs in the Valencian Community Baix Maestrat Dams completed in 1967 Dams in Spain Gravity dams Ports de Tortosa-Beseit {{Valencia-geo-stub