Rio Araxes Betelu Pm1

Spain River 3 - Sufficient

The Río Araxes bathing zone in Betelu is a fluvial beach located in Navarra, Spain, in a headwater section of the Araxes river within the Eastern Cantabrian hydrographic demarcation. The bathing area is approximately 15 meters wide with a maximum depth of 1.45 meters and a substrate of gravel and sand. A mobile weir creates an impoundment zone during the bathing season. The river maintains good ecological status according to water quality assessments.

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Water

River (Río Araxes), a Basque Pyrenean river type. Catchment area of 24.3 square kilometers. Slightly sinuous channel with substrate of blocks and stones, accompanied by pebbles and gravel with occasional sand deposits. Bathing zone width approximately 15 meters, maximum depth approximately 1.45 meters. Four-year return flow rate: 52.41 cubic meters per second. Environmental flow rate (low water normal): 0.076 cubic meters per second.

Location

Betelu, Navarra, Spain. Accessible on foot from the Aguas de Betelu water bottling facility via a path on the left bank of the river. Vehicle access is available from the local road. Parking is available at the site.

Facilities

Parking, toilets (chemical facility), information signs, waste bins, waste containers, drinking water fountains. No lifeguards, no bar/snacks, no showers, no boat ramp, no recreational zone, no swimming pool. Dogs not permitted.

Season

Normally begins in early to mid-July and ends in late August.

Water Quality

The water body is classified in good ecological status. Monitoring for fecal contamination (Escherichia coli and intestinal Enterococci) was conducted from 2013-2019. Health risk to swimmers is estimated to occur when flow rates fall below the low-water environmental flow threshold of 76 liters per second.

Risks

Health risk from fecal contamination when river flow falls below 0.076 cubic meters per second (76 liters per second). Elevated Enterococci intestinalis concentrations can occur during low-flow periods. Self-contamination risk from swimmers themselves.