Big River

The Río Grande collects water from the South slope of the Sierra Nevada and feeds the Benínar Reservoir.

Benínar Reservoir

This reservoir has a capacity of 80,000m3. It is used mainly for agricultural irrigation in the west of the province. Aside from this, the reservoirs characteristics allow for multiple recreational uses, based mainly on differing water sports but accompanied by some spectacular views of the Sierra de Gádor and the Sierra Nevada. In this stunning setting many of the Andalusian Rowing Championships have been held.
With differing varieties of vegetation surrounding the reservoir and the many varieties of fish occupying its waters, many species of waterfowl can also be found.
Soon to open here is a camp site which will allow visitor to truly enjoy the area to its fullest.
The Dam itself and the reservoir behind it are accessed from Berja on the road leading to Turón. From the top of the dam wall, at a height of 80m, visitors can look down the valley below It narrows further from the dam you get and is known as the ‘Cañon del Río Verde’ (Green River Canyon).

The name ‘Benínar’ was taken from the old village that was flooded when the dam was built and the reservoir began to fill. Its remains can still be found at the bottom of the lake.

Marbella Spring

This spring can be found by following the Turón road out of Berja and is formed by water filtrating down from the Benínar Reservoir. It breaks the surface just after the ‘Cañon del Río Verde’ (Green River Canyon) where it is known as the ‘Fuentes de Marbella’. The flow of water from this spring is high and regular throughout the year, allowing the growth of dense vegetation seen along the banks. This vegetation is home to a number of wild birds and together with the water provides refuge for the small endangered fish; the fartet. This fish is only found in inland waters and plays an important role in the lives of the local human population as it feeds on mosquito larvae.
Coming down into the valley towards the ‘Fuentes de Marbella’ , seen on the right are the foothills of the ‘Sierra de la Contraviesa’ which rise up to the Granada Province.      This is an area famous for its fine wines that can be tasted throughout in the local cuisine. The valley itself also shows a surprising structural similarity to that of the ‘Rio Chico’.
These rivers join almost at the boarder of the municipality and become the ‘Rio Adra’. Here can be seen the uniqueness of where abundant water meets the aridity of a desert prevalent in the province of Almería.