Did you know that the Sant Antoni reservoir is the largest fresh water lake in Catalonia?

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Did you know that the Sant Antoni reservoir is the largest fresh water lake in Catalonia?

Oficina de Turisme de la Pobla de Segur - Pl. del Ferrocarril, s/n
25500, La Pobla de Segur
Web: http://www.lapobladesegur.cat/ca/
Email: turisme@lapobladesegur.cat
973 680257

 

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  • The Sant Antoni Reservoir was built by the company known as the “La Canadenca” (The Canadian) between the years 1913 and 1916 and receives most of its waters from the River Noguera Pallaresa. At the time of its construction it included the largest dam in Europe and what was the fourth largest in the world. Today, this is the largest body of deep fresh water in Catalonia and the third biggest area of fresh water after the Canelles and Riba-roja reservoirs. The reservoir is approximately 11 km long and the dam has a maximum height of 86 m. The length of the dam at its highest point is 180 m and the reservoir has a total capacity of 205 hm³ when the area of the water surface reaches its maximum extent of 927 ha. The reservoir receives water from a territory with a total surface area of about 2,070 km² and the dam has a total potential for energy production of 300,000 kW.
     
    The reservoir takes its name from the former Hermitage of Sant Antoni de Susterris which now lies submerged beneath its waters. However, the top of its belfry can still be seen when the water level of the reservoir is very low.
    This reservoir serves five municipal territories in the comarca (local district) of El Pallars Jussà (Talarn, Salàs de Pallars, Conca de Dalt, Isona i la Conca Dellà, and La Pobla de Segur) and irrigates much of the plain that lies within the watershed of Tremp.
     
    This is an ideal part of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees for all types of water sports. It is also possible to enjoy the peace and quiet of its shores and coves, many of which are only accessible by boat. This is also an area for hiking, Nordic walking and MTB, or even for 4x4 routes... All of these routes are completely signposted, providing visitors to the area with information about the length of each route, the net variation in altitude and its level of difficulty. For more detailed information about these routes, and for any other information, you can contact any of the tourist information offices in the comarca.
     
    LEGEND “The Devil’s Hooves of Susterris”
     
    At the straights of Susterris, near Talarn, there used to be four holes known as “the devil’s hooves”. They were reputed to be the result of a hand to hand fight between the Devil and Saint Anthony (Amades, 1997). Today, these footprints lie beneath the Sant Antoni reservoir, just above Tremp, and have therefore disappeared from view. According to a text written in 1880:
    There were four long oval-shaped holes, similar in form to the sole of a youth’s foot. They were 16 cm long, 7 cm wide and of a similar depth, suggesting the form of the keel of a ship” (Mir, Moner, Pleyan, 1996).

    Next to them, there were other marks and a cross carved into the rock. According to tradition, in one of the struggles between Saint Anthony and the Devil, both of them fell off the cliff of the Tossal del Neret (which stands to the east of the reservoir). It is said that the saint fell some two hundred metres, landing on the other side of the mountain stream where arrived safe and sound, whereas Satan fell on the same side of the river, leaving four hoof marks in the rock.