The droughts that in recent months have caused the level of many reservoirs throughout Spain to drop. Especially the Riojan Mansilla reservoir, which is at a lower level than it has ever been. With just 14,7% of its capacity, this reservoir hid behind its waters a small submerged town since 1960.
At present, due to the drought and low water levels, the Mansillans are able to walk through the now emerged town. Drought can wreak havoc on reservoirs as we are seeing.
Drought and depletion of reservoirs
Normally, the citizens of Mansilla de la Sierra bathe every summer in the reservoir to help combat the high temperatures. Nevertheless, the drought has not allowed recreational bathing this year, but has given its visitors a curious walk through the streets of an old mountain town.
The town that has been "discovered" by the withdrawal of the waters of the reservoir It had 600 inhabitants and was the head of the region, compared to the 71 currently registered.
The few snowfalls of last winter and the lack of rain in recent months have lowered the water level to a historic level, so this month you can already see the entire town, and walk its streets and squares without difficulty.
Before building the dam
All the citizens of Mansilla de la Sierra who are over 60 years old have been able to know this entire town. Faced with the decision to build a dam for irrigation and water supply, the Mansillans had to leave the town to be able to dam all that water.
Older Mansillans walk the streets of their hometown with excitement and tell their grandchildren where their houses were and wander longingly.
Although this may seem like a wonderful event, consider the seriousness of the matter and what this means: a drought like you've never seen before. In other words, a reservoir with a capacity of 14% of which, surely, not everything is usable, due to a long and intense drought.