Dam Down

Between 1943 and 1963 was carried out the construction of the dam of the Cenajo.
The 6 of June of 1963 was inaugurated by the dictator Francisco Franco. For this inauguration, and to give it more visibility, 100 cubic hectometres were derived from the Fuensanta reservoir, upstream, so that it would show full.
The number of prisoners who worked on the dam throughout the work is unknown, but in 1953 there were 123, representing 17% of all prisoners redeeming punishment that year. The total number of workers involved was 7700, according to the Segura Hydrographic Confederation. Of all the deaths that occurred during the work, in 1954 a national newspaper announced the death of three workers, who fell from 76 meters in height, and in whose honor a cross was erected.
In 1963, it was the highest dam in Spain.
It is located in the municipallity of Moratalla, Region of Murcia.

Views from Cenajo Dam

Views from Cenajo dam. The river: Segura. a few of water is coming out from the reservoir on summer (a few more, the rest of the year).

Cenajo's Tunnel

This road is the dam of El Cenajo. And, the tunnel that is seen in the background, unites the provinces of the Region of Murcia and Albacete (Castilia La Mancha). At the top of the mountain, the "Cross of the Workers", in homage to the workers (prisoners and free) who died during the construction of this dam during the Franco regime. The dam was inaugurated in 1963. It is the biggest dam on Segura river.

Air Help

To extinguish the fire from yesterday, both land and air firefighters were needed. Rapid warning from neighbours was key for the means of extinction to arrive earlier to avoid a major disaster.

Burning Mountains

This summer amonng to be a very dry summer, it is also a dramatic summer with losts of fires in the Iberian Peninsula: Spain and Portugal. Most fires have been brought about.
Image: at Puerto Garruchal, special protection area for birds. A recklessness of a driver who threw a cigarette butt caused that fire.

Drought at Region of Murcia

Other times I have commented that in the Region of Murcia it usually rains little. But this year is being really hard.
In the image, Cenajo swamp, the most important swamp of the Segura river. It is located at the head of the river. Currently, today, it is at 17% of its capacity (a year ago, by the same date, it was at 34%). I took the photo last August 1st 2017. Terrible.

This drought is hard in the bordering provinces as well.

You can enlarge the image to see more details, clicking on it.

Data from: Spain Goverment. All data here.

August'17 Theme Day. Young at Heart.

A beautiful theme day for this time (click here to view thumbnails of all participants).
Adults play as children at aquatic parks.
Image: At Aqua Natura Murcia.