THE DIQUE DE CABRA CORRAL

Situated 85 kms away from Salta, travellers can appreciate an extraordinary 127 square kms water mirror enclosed by mountains, which is in itself a magnificent work of engineering: The Cabra Corral Dam, and artificial reservoir formed by the confluence of the Guachipas River, where all the southern rivers from the Calchaquíes Valleys flow into, and the Rosario and Arias Rivers coming from the north.

The dam shows a "Y" shape and is known as Cabra Corral (Goat Corral), for it was a company based in the United States which was in charge of the mapping for the future works, and in the files the foreign engineers wrote "Cabra Corral", instead of "Corral de Cabras", which is the proper grammar construction in Spanish).

The complex was built between the years 1966 and 1972 by Panedille Hnos. Co, with Italian and Argentinean capitals.

It is the second biggest reservoir in the country, and the main reserve for the northeast. Besides offering an ideal place for sports and recreation, Cabra Corral brings irrigation waters to 110,000 hectares of fertile land in Salta and Santiago del Estero, and forms part of the national energy system with the production of hydroelectric energy from its three turbines.

The dam is like a great mountain of earth raising 93 ms high, and that makes it earthquake proof. If it were rigid, concrete-like, it would fracture with the first seism. It has a clay nucleus covered with different layers of compacted earth and rocks, with a final lay of large rounded river stones at the side of the water mirror, and smaller ones on the side of the Juramento River.

It has a base of over 500 ms crossed by two large tunnels: one is for bottom discharges and the other for the hydroelectric complex. The latter displays a counterweight tower 108 ms high.

An additional marvel is the bridge crossing the narrow Guachipas River, with its pillars supporting pre-tensed beams, which make them flexible in case of a quake. The distance between the tarmac and the river is big enough to allow the navigation of regular sailboats.

The Juramento River waters flow into the Paraná River with the name of Salado del Norte, making it the longest basin in the country.

HOW TO GET THERE
Through the Nº 68 National Route and the Ruta Provincial Nº 47. From Salta to Coronel Moldes there are 62 kms; and from there up to Paraje El Préstamo, another 23 kms.

WHAT TO DO
Trekking, exploring, mountaineering, scaling, horseback riding, bird watching, photo safaris, and agro-tourism, can be practiced in the bordering area of the reservoir.

And on its waters you can practice sailing, rafting, and sport fishing of atherine, bogas, catfishes and dorados, from the shore or on the dam if you rent a catamaran.

Cultural activities can be enjoyed by the dam as well. Excursions include guided visits to the Cuevas de Ablomé Caves, to watch its rock paintings, and hikes to El Fuerte Mountain.

It has various lodging facilities: from a four star hotel, standing at the edge of the dam, down to a small yet important number of lodging houses, cabins and camping areas. The gastronomic service is excellent in all of them.