Preventive Draining of Darnius-Boadella Reservoir Triggers "Water Tourism" Boom

High reserve levels and storm forecasts prompted the ACA to drain the reservoir, attracting hundreds of visitors to the site.

Vista d'una presa d'embassament amb un gran cabal d'aigua sent alliberat pel canal de desguàs.

Vista d'una presa d'embassament amb un gran cabal d'aigua sent alliberat pel canal de desguàs.

The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) began preventive draining at the Darnius-Boadella reservoir, in Alt Empordà, last Sunday, causing an exponential increase in visitors drawn by the spectacle of the water discharge.

The operation is being carried out due to the excellent reserve levels of the reservoir and the need to prepare for the arrival of a new storm (llevantada) in the region. This situation has generated a phenomenon known locally as “water tourism.”
Evidence of this influx was the sight offered by the upper platform of the dam last Sunday, with numerous people of all ages observing the accumulated water volume.
The jet of water from the lower drainage channel flows directly into the Muga river, whose flow has progressively increased. The parking lot next to the reservoir control office was completely full of vehicles.
Despite the rain accompanying the day, visitors, many carrying umbrellas, climbed up to the two viewpoints located at the top of the dam to enjoy the view.
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