A tour through the bowels of the reservoir, which presents a Dantesque image, at almost 3% of its capacity, showing us the ruins of the town of Sant Romà de Sau, the church and its bell tower.

The Sau reservoir, a mirror of water that reflected the submerged history of Catalonia, is today at its lowest levels, revealing its hidden secrets. This phenomenon, a consequence of a prolonged drought and aggravated by climate change, invites us to reflect on our impact on the planet.

This reservoir is located in the Guilleries Natural Park, next to the Tavertet cliffs, which belong to the Collsacabra Natural Park, in the Osona region, Catalonia. When the reservoir is at full capacity, it is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Catalonia, surrounded by dense forests and reddish cliffs that show a special charm.

We took the tour on February 9, 2024, a sunny winter day in which we were able to cover more than 75% of the terrain that has been exposed. I remember three droughts, the one in 1989-1990 and the one in 2007-2008, when the reservoir reached 20% of its capacity, of which I have images, which cannot be compared in any way with the current ones. The images that I present in this report are devastating, it had never crossed my mind that one day I could walk along the bottom of this reservoir.

 The drought shows us past history 

The image of the bell tower of the church of Sant Romà, emerging alone above the cracked earth, speaks to us of a past that refuses to remain under the waters. While the abandoned structures at the edge of the reservoir, visible now after decades, tell us stories of a people who were displaced by progress, but now, ironically, progress threatens water scarcity.

The drought not only unearths history, but also endangers the ecosystem of the Guilleries Natural Park. Dead trees and cracked earth are a reminder of nature's delicate balance and the need for immediate action to combat climate change. Water is a vital resource for agriculture, tourism and human consumption. Water scarcity is having a negative impact on the local economy, generating uncertainty and putting the future of many families at risk.

 A call to action 

This photographic report is a call to conscience, a visual reminder of the human impact on nature and the importance of preserving water and the natural environment. Through these images, the Sau reservoir teaches us that every drop counts, and that history and nature are treasures that must be protected in the face of our changing climate reality.

Urgent action is needed to combat climate change and protect our natural resources. The responsibility falls on all of us: governments, companies and citizens, we can no longer afford not to think about the importance of water in the life of nature, animals and ourselves. The images are a brutal reminder of the reality of climate change.

Catalonia is suffering, because of the different governments that have not known how to do their duties. In 2008 we already had to bring boats full of water from other communities to supply the more than six million inhabitants of the metropolitan area and other cities. In my opinion I think they have waited too long to take action. It won't be long before we see ships full of water arriving to supply us if a miracle doesn't happen.

Report sponsored by PICTOREM