La Jarosa Reservoir
The dam La Jarosa ( embalse de La Jarosa ) is also known as La Jarosa dam ( presa de La Jarosa ) and is located in the valley of La Jarosa that belongs to the Spanish community Guadarrama. It is the smallest lake in the Sierra de Guadarrama, with a capacity of 7 million cubic meters and a surface area of 55 hectares. The lake is accessible from the highway (M -614 ) from.
History
The dam La Jarosa was created as part of the policy of promoting economic spätfranquistischen major projects in 1968. For this, a soil sink offered, in the village of La Herrería was, which was then uninhabited for the past two centuries. The remains of the village can be seen not known or is unclear at normal water levels. Only at extremely low water level can the desert village on foot and may utilize the tower of St. Macarius consecrated village church in inspection.
Characteristics of the reservoir
Geology
Mainly found in the surroundings of the reservoir behind the riverine marshes rock formations with granite, gneiss and quartz. Chance also occur biotite, muscovite, mica and plagioclase.
Fauna
Due to the biotopic properties of the reservoir there is a large variety of animals. Examples of invertebrates are stone flies or moths Red Apollo. The lake has fish species such as pike, largemouth bass and rainbow trout. To the waters and reptiles such as the smooth snake and the Iberian Emerald Lizard is home to amphibians knife base and the Iberian water frog. On bird species are found owl, White Stork and Blackbird, to other mammalian species, the house shrew, rabbit, squirrel, wild boar and red fox.
Flora
In the surrounding pine forests three pine species are represented: maritime pine, black pine and Scots pine. Other typical plants are paint - rock rose, rosemary and thyme yoke. Along the beach promenade Cornwall Heath, ferns, rushes, ash and oak trees found.
Hydrology
The dam La Jarosa is generated by two dams and holds up to 7 million cubic meters, which is, however, rarely achieved, and is fed by the streams GUATEL, Jarosa and Cerradillas. He is the only water supply for the surrounding communities (in addition Guadarrama also Alpedrete and San Lorenzo de El Escorial ).
Further use
La Jarosa is now frequented tourist, next to the natural splendor of the dam because of the hiking trails in the wooded area. A total of 93 hectares of land around the reservoir are also called La Jarosa. The Madrid recreation area is part of the planned national park Guadarrama. Another important recreational activity at the reservoir is fishing, which is why the stock of rainbow trout is replenished periodically to compensate for the intensive fishing. Lately, therefore, the stocks of trout and largemouth bass decreased significantly as more and more pike are found. To ensure the water quality of the lake, where swimming and other water sports are not allowed.