Historic Water Release from El Atazar Reservoir in Madrid

El Atazar Reservoir's Historic Water Release: A Rare Event and a Governing Council Meeting The El Atazar reservoir in the Community of Madrid, Spain, experienced a historic event on May 21, 2025, when water was released through its upper spillway for the first time since May 1991. This unprecedented event, due to the reservoir reaching its maximum capacity after unusually heavy spring rainfall, has attracted significant attention. "We are witnessing a historic event," stated a spokesperson for Telemadrid, "because these gates haven't been opened in 35 years." The reservoir, the largest in the region, can hold up to 425 cubic hectometers of water. The unusually high water levels have prompted the regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, to hold an extraordinary session of the Governing Council at the reservoir itself on Wednesday. The video shows a powerful cascade of water flowing from the dam's spillway, a stunning visual representation of the event's magnitude. The release is expected to continue for several days, impacting the Lozoya River's flow. The dam, completed in 1971, has multiple spillways, with the upper spillway used only in extreme circumstances. This extraordinary event highlights the impact of recent rainfall and serves as a reminder of the importance of water management in the region. The unusual setting of the Governing Council meeting underscores the significance of the water release and the region's commitment to addressing water resource challenges.