Overview
San Clemente Reservoir is an operational irrigation reservoir in Spain, serving agricultural water needs in the Andalusia region. It supports local irrigation systems with stored surface water.
San Clemente Reservoir is an operational irrigation reservoir located near the town of Reservoir in Spain, with coordinates 37.866691, -2.646226. It falls under the irrigation reservoir plant type and is part of Spain's extensive network of water storage facilities for agricultural use. The reservoir plays a key role in supplying water for irrigation in the surrounding agricultural areas. As an irrigation reservoir, San Clemente Reservoir stores surface water from local rivers and streams, which is then distributed to farms for crop irrigation. The facility operates under Spain's regulatory framework for water management, which includes the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provisions for irrigation and national water laws overseen by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadalquivir. Typical irrigation reservoirs in this region range from small to medium scale, supporting both drip and flood irrigation systems. The reservoir's environmental significance lies in its contribution to water security for agriculture in a region that experiences seasonal droughts. By storing water during wet periods, it helps mitigate the impacts of water scarcity on crop production. However, the reservoir also faces challenges related to water source stress and potential salinization, which are common in Mediterranean irrigation systems.
Environmental context
San Clemente Reservoir is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean climate zone, where water availability is a critical factor for agriculture. The reservoir relies on surface water from seasonal rainfall and snowmelt, which can be variable due to climate change. Irrigation efficiency in the region varies, with some areas adopting drip irrigation to reduce water loss, while others still use flood irrigation, increasing the risk of salinization. The local environmental context includes competition for water resources between agriculture, urban use, and ecological flows.
Frequently asked questions
San Clemente Reservoir is located in Spain, near the town of Reservoir, with coordinates 37.866691, -2.646226.
San Clemente Reservoir is an irrigation reservoir that stores surface water for agricultural irrigation, supporting crop production in the surrounding region.
The reservoir supports various irrigation methods, including drip and flood irrigation, depending on the needs of local farms.
Irrigation reservoirs in Spain are regulated under the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and national water laws administered by river basin authorities like the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadalquivir.
Key challenges include water source stress due to seasonal droughts, salinization risk from inefficient irrigation, and competition for water between agriculture and other uses.