DOLAVON

Known as the "city of water wheels" because of the numerous water wheels placed along the streams that flow through it, Dolavon is a peaceful and beautiful town of 2,500 inhabitants in the province of Chubut.

In the old times, the aim of these ancient and literary mechanical devices was to raise the water of the streams to irrigate higher ground used for crop growing.

Now, and only for the entertainment of visitors, they are still located in their original positions, and their wheels keep turning with the flow of the water.

The town of Dolavon (Welsh meaning "river bend" or "pasture by the river") was founded in 1915 when three landowners in the area decided to divide their holdings.

These were John J. Williams, Nicolás Castro and Leonard Evans, who had settled in this area in 1892, 1902 and 1914, respectively.

What had been a wayside stop for wagons, and a post for coast-Cordillera traffic (Esquel and Trevelin), became an important hub of development thanks to a steadily increasing population and the arrival of the railway.

On October 12 1915, the first train trip to Estación del Valle Superior was made (this was the first name of the station until it was transformed to Dolavon seven years later).

It has a dry continental weather with a large temperature range between seasons. Winters can be harsh, with temperatures reaching 10 to 12 degrees below zero Celsius, while summer temperatures fluctuate between 25 and 35° Celsius.

From the beginning of spring through summer, the main winds come from the west. These are usually caused by the formation of an anti-cyclone in the South Atlantic. Nevertheless, during fall and winter, these winds disappear.

Rainfall is not abundant, with an annual average of only 170 mm.