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In these photographs in Las Fotos de los Lectores de La Vanguardia we see the Sau reservoir as if it were the typical image of the Far West, given the persistent drought that has affected and still affects this reservoir.
The Western United States—also known as the Wild West—includes the region of the western states of the United States. Before 1800, the crest of the Appalachian Mountains was seen as the western frontier. Since then, it has moved further west and the Mississippi River was the reference as the easternmost possible limit of the West.
The water level of the Sau reservoir is already at 6%, an illuminating minimum that helps to understand the desert landscape that is taking shape in this part of Catalonia.
The reservoir, inaugurated in 1962, covered the town of Sant Romà de Sau, the remains of which, especially the church bell tower, are visible when the dammed water level is low. At this time, you can even see the towers of the old mill.
This reservoir is part of a system of three swamps (along with those of Susqueda and Pasteral) that unites the counties of Osona, in the province of Barcelona, and La Selva, in the province of Girona.
The cormorants seem to be the only ones that are still taking advantage of the little water that remains in the reservoir, since they have made their home in the ruins of the old town and feed by fishing in the swamp.
