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| La Serena Reservoir | |
|---|---|
| Name | La Serena Reservoir |
| Location | Province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Inflow | Guadiana River |
| Outflow | Guadiana River |
| Basin countries | Spain |
| Area | 1,200 ha |
| Volume | 6,925 hm³ |
| Elevation | 254 m |
La Serena Reservoir is a major artificial lake in the Province of Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain formed by the impoundment of the Guadiana River by the Orellana Dam. It is one of the largest reservoirs in Spain and a key component of regional water supply, irrigation and hydroelectric schemes associated with mid-20th century infrastructure programs. The reservoir influences regional ecology, agriculture, navigation and tourism across municipalities such as Orellana la Vieja and Castuera.
La Serena Reservoir lies in western Iberian Peninsula territory near the border with Portugal, within the hydrographic confines of the Guadiana River basin. The impoundment occupies terrain formerly within historic comarcas of La Serena (comarca) and sits downstream of upland catchments including the Sierra Morena foothills. Nearby municipalities include Orellana la Vieja, Zalamea de la Serena, Campanario, La Coronada and Don Benito, while regional transport links connect to the A-5 motorway and provincial roads toward Badajoz and Mérida. The reservoir’s location has made it strategically relevant to projects coordinated by national agencies such as the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana and regional authorities in Extremadura.
Plans for the reservoir emerged amid the mid-20th-century modernization initiatives of Spain during the era of the Spanish State (1939–1975), with projects promoted by institutions like the Dirección General de Obras Hidráulicas and later managed by the Instituto Nacional de Hidráulica. The dam’s construction formed part of broader irrigation and electrification policies that included works on other Guadiana tributaries and paralleled projects such as the Alqueva Dam across the border in Portugal. Major phases included site selection, relocation of rural properties, archaeological surveys linking to Roman Hispania and engineering procurement overseen by Spanish contractors and consulting engineers trained at institutions like the Polytechnic University of Madrid and University of Seville. Completion enabled integration with regional irrigation consortia and national grid operators such as Red Eléctrica de España.
The impoundment is formed by a large embankment and concrete structures designed to provide storage capacity of several thousand hm³, with maximum storage and surface area subject to seasonal variation. Structural components include spillways, intake towers, outlet works and ancillary navigation and maintenance facilities designed under standards used by the European Commission and Spanish hydraulic codes. The dam supports a hydroelectric plant connected to the Sistema Eléctrico Nacional and is equipped with instrumentation for monitoring by agencies like the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana and research teams from the Spanish National Research Council.
Hydrologic inputs include runoff from the Guadiana River catchment, seasonal precipitation patterns influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and Iberian climatology, and regulated releases to downstream reaches that affect reservoirs such as Orellana Reservoir. Water allocation supports irrigation consortia supplying lands historically cultivated with olive groves, cereal fields and sunflower plantations managed by cooperatives in towns like Don Benito. Management interfaces with national frameworks including the Water Framework Directive of the European Union, flood control protocols tied to civil protection agencies such as Protección Civil and cross-border coordination with Portuguese water agencies during high-flow events.
The reservoir altered habitats across the former river valley, creating lacustrine environments that support birdlife listed in inventories coordinated with organizations like SEO/BirdLife and designations under the Ramsar Convention and Natura 2000 where applicable. Aquatic species include native and introduced fishes monitored by the Instituto Español de Oceanografía and regional universities; macrophyte beds and riparian galleries provide habitat for species connected to Iberian biodiversity hotspots such as the Dehesa landscape. Environmental concerns have prompted programs addressing water quality, eutrophication and fish passages coordinated among Junta de Extremadura environmental services, non-governmental organizations and research groups from the University of Extremadura.
The reservoir is a focal point for recreational activities promoted by provincial tourism boards and local municipalities, including boating, angling, birdwatching and heritage tourism that links visitors to nearby archaeological sites associated with Roman Hispania and medieval settlements such as Zalamea de la Serena. Infrastructure for visitors includes marinas, picnic areas, accommodation operated by municipal and private enterprises, and events coordinated with cultural institutions like local town councils and regional tourism agencies. The site features in promotional materials distributed via regional networks connecting to Extremadura (region) tourism circuits.
Creation of the reservoir transformed agriculture, enabling intensive irrigation schemes that altered land tenure and production in municipalities such as Territoriales de la Serena and feeding processing industries in Don Benito-Villanueva de la Serena industrial areas. The project influenced demographic patterns through resettlement, generated construction employment and later supported sectors including fisheries, tourism and energy tied to operators like Endesa and local cooperatives. Infrastructure investments included road upgrades, water treatment facilities, and integration with national transport and energy networks administered by entities such as the Ministry for the Ecological Transition.
Category:Reservoirs in Extremadura Category:Guadiana River