Linares del Arroyo Dam

The Linares del Arroyo Dam, in Maderuelo (Segovia), is a large reservoir of the Riaza and Aguisejo river system, in the region of Ayllon, at the foot of the Sierra de Ayllon. The available information places it with a surface area of around 550 hectares and a useful volume of around 56 hm³, although other sources cite 473 hectares and 58 hm³, so these figures should be taken as a guide. It is a landscape of extensive water and smooth banks, very different from the limestone gorges that appear downstream. From Maderuelo there are wide views of the reservoir basin and its slopes, with a quiet and open environment that is interesting both for its scenic value and for the contrast between the medieval village and the sheet of water. The PRC-SG-10 route runs through this sector with a short circular itinerary of low difficulty, designed for walking and observation of the surroundings. Its heritage and landscape interest is linked to the history of the old Linares del Arroyo, a town flooded by the construction of the dam in the mid-twentieth century. Some sources indicate that the reservoir was inaugurated in 1951 and that it was used for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes. This memory of the lost settlement, together with the aquatic landscape, explains much of the uniqueness of the place. In addition, the reservoir is associated with the natural area of the Riaza River Sickles, where fauna linked to wetlands and birds such as otters, grey herons and various ducks can be found. For this reason, the visit is of particular interest to those who are looking for a place of transition between reservoir, riverbank and countryside, with environmental value and a clear historical reading.