The Role of Dams in Spain

Surface area Spain has a surface area of 505182 km2 and has a population of about 44 million, which corresponds to an average population density of 87 people per km2. The irregularity in time not only causes major variations from one year to the next, with long spells drought, but also major seasonal fluctuations with low discharges during the summer months. Spanish dam construction technology is among the most advanced in the world, and the country's experience is also among the greatest. There are about 1270 large dams in Spain, according to ICOLD's World Register of Dams, of which 1250 are operational and 23 are under construction. Spanish reservoirs have a total storage capacity of about 56 km3. The reservoirs regulate approximately 45.8 km3/year, which corresponds to most of the regulated water resources in Spain.